Identity based universal re-encryption for mix nets

Abstract

Universal Re-encryption Cryptosystems do not require the knowledge of the recipient's public key for re-encrypting a ciphertext whereas conventional Re-encryption Cryptosystems need that knowledge. In this paper, we present the first Identity-based Universal Re-encryption Cryptosystem scheme whose re-encryption algorithm does not need to have the knowledge of the recipient's identity. By generalizing the definition of Universal Semantic Security to Identity Based Universal Cryptosystems, we prove the security of our scheme. There are some applications for universal re-encryption cryptosystems which cannot be made using conventional cryptosystems. One significant application of these cryptosystems is in mix networks with several recipients, such as anonymous communication networks.