C3PO: a tool for automatic sound cryptographic protocol analysis

Abstract

We present an improved logic for analysing authentication properties of cryptographic protocols, based on the SVO logic of Syverson and van Oorschot (1994). Such logics are useful in electronic commerce, among other areas. We have constructed this logic in order to simplify automation, and we describe an implementation using the Isabelle theorem-proving system, and a GUI tool based on this implementation. The tool is typically operated by opening a list of propositions intended to be true, and clicking one button. Since the rules form a clean framework, the logic is easily extensible. We also present in detail a proof of soundness, using Kripke possible-worlds semantics.