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Challenge-handshake Authentication Protocol




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CHAP is an authentication scheme used by Point To Point Protocol (PPP) servers to validate the identity of remote clients. CHAP periodically verifies the identity of the Client by using a Three-way Handshake . This happens at the time of establishing the initial Link , and may happen again at any time afterwards. The verification is based on a Shared Secret (such as the client user's password).

# After the completion of the link establishment phase, the authenticator sends a "challenge" message to the peer.
# The peer responds with a value calculated using a One-way Hash Function , such as an MD5 Checksum Hash .
# The authenticator checks the response against its own calculation of the expected hash value. If the values match, the authenticator acknowledges the authentication; otherwise it should terminate the connection.
# At random intervals the authenticator sends a new challenge to the peer and repeats steps 1 through 3.

CHAP provides protection against Playback Attack by the peer through the use of an incrementally changing identifier and of a variable challenge-value.
CHAP requires that both the client and server know the plaintext of the secret, although it is never sent over the network.

Microsoft has implemented a variant of the Challenge-handshake authentication protocol, called MS-CHAP , which does not require either peer to know the plaintext.


WORKING CYCLE

  • Challenge Packet (System to User)

  • Response Packet (User to System)

  • Success or failure packet (System to User)



CHAP PACKETS

CHAP packet embedded in a PPP frame. The protocol field has a value of C223(hex)


SEE ALSO



REFERENCES

  • RFC 1994