[Python-Dev] hashlib - faster md5/sha, adds sha256/512 support

[Ronald L. Rivest]

Hi --

I'm curious as to the status of upgrading cryptographic
hash function support in Python, now that md5 and sha1 are
both clearly broken (in terms of collision-resistance).

The consensus of researchers in this area (at least as
expressed at the NIST Hash Function Workshop 10/31/05),
is that SHA-256 is a good choice for the time being, but
that research should continue, and other alternatives may
arise from this research.  The larger SHA's also seem OK,
but I think will have less demand...

I'd like to see sha-256 supported in Python.  Has this
already happened (and I didn't notice) and/or will it
be happening soon?

Thanks!

         Cheers,
         Ron Rivest

P.S. Please cc your reply to me at rivest at mit.edu as well
      Thanks!


Ronald L. Rivest
Room 32-G692, Stata Center, MIT, Cambridge MA 02139
Tel 617-253-5880, Email <rivest at mit.edu>