ciphertext-only attack

noun

An attack on a cryptosystem that relies only on the attacker's knowledge of some ciphertexts encrypted with that system and key. Less powerful than a known-plaintext attack.

Similar
known-ciphertext attackCOA
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Meanings

nounciphertext-only attack (plural ciphertext-only attacks)

plural ciphertext-only attacks

  1. computingAn attack on a cryptosystem that relies only on the attacker's knowledge of some ciphertexts encrypted with that system and key. Less powerful than a known-plaintext attack.

    Synonyms: known-ciphertext attack, COA

Synonyms & antonyms

nounAn attack on a cryptosystem that relies only on the attacker's knowledge of some ciphertexts encrypted with that system and key. Less powerful than a known-plaintext attack.

Similar
known-ciphertext attackCOA
Also see
known-ciphertext attack

Translations

Finnish vain salatekstiin perustuva hyökkäys
  • vain salatekstiin perustuva hyökkäyscryptanalytic attack
Cite this entry
APA

ciphertext-only attack. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ciphertext-only%20attack

MLA

“ciphertext-only attack.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ciphertext-only%20attack. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “ciphertext-only attack,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ciphertext-only%20attack.

Source: ciphertext-only attack on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.