Digital signature schemes based on code equivalence and syndrome decoding from restricted errors

Abstract: Digital signature schemes are an important cryptographic tool to ensure data authenticity and integrity in many applications that must be resilient to attacks, including those facilitated by quantum computers. We consider the two digital signature schemes based on error-correcting codes that are second-round candidates in NIST's call for Additional Signature Schemes, which is part of the Post-Quantum Cryptography Standardization Process. Specifically, we provide an overview of the Codes and Restricted Objects Signature Scheme (CROSS) and the Linear Equivalence Signature Scheme (LESS). We describe their underlying problems of syndrome decoding from restricted errors and code equivalence. We review sigma protocols and how they can be transformed into digital signature schemes via the Fiat-Shamir transform. Finally, we explain how this procedure yields code-based digital signatures believed to be post-quantum secure.