A Layman's Guide to a Subset of ASN.1, BER, and DER

Comparing the Performance of Abstract Syntax Notation One (ASN.1) vs eXtensible Markup Language (XML)

We describe a series of tests that have been carried out to measure the performance differences between eXtensible Markup Language (XML) and Abstract Syntax Notation One (ASN.1) with its Basic Encoding Rules (BER), for signed and unsigned attribute certificates. Our findings demonstrate that, as might be expected, XML encoded attribute certificates are approximately an order of magnitude greate...

A layman's guide to grommets.

Proving a Soundness Property for the Joint Design of ASN.1 and the Basic Encoding Rules

The Abstract Syntax Notation One (ASN.1) can be used to model types of values carried by signals in SDL or MSC but is also directly used by network protocol implementors. In the last few years, the press has reported several alleged vulnerabilities of ASN.1 and the Basic Encoding Rules (BER) related to network protocols like SNMP and, more recently, OpenSSL. In reality it has been shown that th...

A MODEL FOR THE BASIC HELIX- LOOPHELIX MOTIF AND ITS SEQUENCE SPECIFIC RECOGNITION OF DNA

A three dimensional model of the basic Helix-Loop-Helix motif and its sequence specific recognition of DNA is described. The basic-helix I is modeled as a continuous ?-helix because no ?-helix breaking residue is found between the basic region and the first helix. When the basic region of the two peptide monomers are aligned in the successive major groove of the cognate DNA, the hydrophobi...

Syntax-based Vulnerability Testing of Frame-based Network Protocols

Syntax-based vulnerability testing is a static black-box testing method for protocol implementations. It involves testing the Implementation Under Test (IUT) with a large number of mutated Protocol Data Units (PDUs), built by intentionally disobeying the protocol’s syntax. Security vulnerabilities can be discovered by detecting anomalous behaviour or crashes in the IUT (e.g. segmentation faults...