📝Electronic Codebook (ECB)

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§ Cryptography

  • Electronic Codebook (ECB) is the simplest Block cipher mode of operation.
  • Split input into blocks, each block is independently encrypted with the same key.
  • The weakness is that same blocks would produce the same results. Thus, ECB does not hide data patterns.
  • ECB is also susceptible to Replay attack because each block is decrypted in exactly the same way.
  • It is not recommended to use ECB in cryptographic protocols at all.

  • Inability to hide data patterns is very striking on images with large monotonic colors. Input:

    Encrypted with ECB:

    (while every color is encrypted, the overall image pattern is very visible)

    Compare this with CBC (or other mode):

    (Note that if image looks random to the eye, that does not mean it is securely encrypted)

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