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Unifying Zero-Knowledge Proofs of Knowledge (Maurer 2009)

Last modified: 2026-10-27

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-02384-2_17 · URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-02384-2_17

Summary

Shows that many classical proofs of knowledge (Schnorr, Guillou–Quisquater, Fiat–Shamir, proofs of representations and equalities) are instances of a single protocol for proving knowledge of a preimage under a group homomorphism (AFRICACRYPT 2009), with one generic proof of zero-knowledge and soundness. This homomorphism view is the basis of modern sigma-protocol frameworks used to compose proofs for anonymous credentials.

Related resources

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• Modular Design of Secure yet Practical Cryptographic Protocols (Cramer 1997) (paper, 1997)
• On Sigma Protocols (Damgård) (paper, 2004)
• Proof Systems for General Statements about Discrete Logarithms (Camenisch-Stadler 1997) (paper, 1997)
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