known-plaintext attack

noun

An attack on a cryptosystem that relies on the attacker's knowledge of not just some ciphertexts encrypted with that system and key, but also their corresponding plaintexts (cribs). More powerful than a ciphertext-only attack, but less powerful than a chosen-plaintext attack.

Similar
KPA
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Meanings

nounknown-plaintext attack (plural known-plaintext attacks)

plural known-plaintext attacks

  1. computingAn attack on a cryptosystem that relies on the attacker's knowledge of not just some ciphertexts encrypted with that system and key, but also their corresponding plaintexts (cribs). More powerful than a ciphertext-only attack, but less powerful than a chosen-plaintext attack.

    Synonyms: KPA

Synonyms & antonyms

nounAn attack on a cryptosystem that relies on the attacker's knowledge of not just some ciphertexts encrypted with that system and key, but also their corresponding plaintexts (cribs). More powerful than a ciphertext-only attack, but less powerful than a chosen-plaintext attack.

Similar
KPA

Translations

Finnish tunnettuun selkotekstiin perustuva hyökkäys
  • tunnettuun selkotekstiin perustuva hyökkäyscryptanalytic attack
Cite this entry
APA

known-plaintext attack. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/known-plaintext%20attack

MLA

“known-plaintext attack.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/known-plaintext%20attack. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “known-plaintext attack,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/known-plaintext%20attack.

Source: known-plaintext attack on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.