OpenSSL A.00.09.08n.010, A.00.09.08n.011, and A.00.09.08n.012 release notes (5900-0899), June 2010
approach enables you to secure your client-server application without changing the
source code, but limits you to the features offered by the Stunnel environment.
These are the two distinct choices available to a user application environment that wants
to SSL-encrypt its client-server communication. Both choices are valid. Direct use of the
OpenSSL library clearly provides more options.
20 What is the FIPS relationship to the OpenSSL API?
The FIPS object module is designed for use with the OpenSSL API. Applications linked with
the FIPS object module and with the separate OpenSSL libraries can use both the
FIPS-validated cryptographic functions of the FIPS object module and the high level functions
of OpenSSL.
The FIPS object module is the special monolithic object module built from the special source
distribution identified in the Security Policy. It is not the same as the OpenSSL product or
any specific official OpenSSL distribution release.
A version of the OpenSSL product that is suitable for reference by an application along with
the FIPS object module is a FIPS compatible OpenSSL which links against FIPS Object Module
1.1.2 or FIPS Object Module 1.2.
When the FIPS object module and a FIPS compatible OpenSSL are separately built and
installed on a system, the combination is referred to as a FIPS capable OpenSSL.
21 What kind of cryptographic algorithms can be used in FIPS mode?
Table 1-10 lists the cryptographic algorithms that can and cannot be used in FIPS mode.
Table 1-10 Cryptographic algorithms that can be used in FIPS mode and Standard OpenSSL
mode
UsageFIPSStandard OpenSSLAlgorithmAlgorithm Type
• Key agreement
• Digital signature
• Encryption/
Decryption
SupportedSupportedRSAAsymmetric keys
Digital signatureDSA
Key agreementDH
Encryption/
Decryption
SupportedSupportedAESSymmetric keys
Not supportedBlowfish
Not supportedCAST
Not supportedDES
SupportedDES3
Not supportedDESX
Not supportedRC2
Not supportedRC4
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 25