Re: Opening PKI encrypted with Public Key outside your Escrow Authority.

From: derez (derez@packetforge.net)
Date: Tue Mar 07 2006 - 09:19:29 EST


Benson, Sean M wrote:
> I have a Question maybe someone can explain to me.
>
> Say company Acme has a PKI structure.
> Company/User Beta also has PKI or is using PKI software
>
> It allows S/MIME and Proprietary Keys to be imported into and AcmeUser's
> keyrings/address books.
>
> If User@Acme.com uses the key from AnotherUser@Acme.com I as the Key
> Escrow CA can open/un-encrypt/read the mail using the Escrowed Private
> keys.
>
> But If User@Acme.com uses the Public Key from User@Beta.com to encrypt.
> Can I open this message using only the Keys I have Escrowed?
> Ie.. Only AcmeUser's Public/private pair?
>
> Or is it encrypted with the Public key of UserBeta and I am SOL?

Right, if the public key of another PKI (Beta Company) was used to to
encrypt the mail then you would need to have private keys (User or
escrowed) from that PKI to decrypt it.

>
> btw: I believe your SOL without that other key as it's encrypted with
> it. Am I right?

Yes.

~derez

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