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Discovering Cryptographic Weaknesses with Claude

Researchers at Anthropic have discovered improved ways to attack cryptographic algorithms using Claude Mythos Preview. The first attack significantly weakens HAWK, a digital signature scheme, while the second identifies a new way to attack round-reduced AES. These finding…

By Anthropic·Jul 28·anthropic.com·2 min read

Intelligence analysis by Llama

Open laptop with lock iconography showing on its inner screen
Open laptop with lock iconography showing on its inner screenImage: anthropic.com

Anthropic's researchers used Claude Mythos Preview to discover improved attacks on cryptographic algorithms, including HAWK and AES. These attacks do not currently impact production systems but demonstrate the potential for AI models to find flaws in cryptographic algorithms.

Why it matters

These findings highlight the potential for AI models to discover flaws in cryptographic algorithms, which could impact digital security. The researchers' responsible disclosure procedures and consultation with academics ensure that the findings are used to improve the security of cryptographic systems.

Imagine you have a secret code to keep your online data safe. Researchers at Anthropic used a powerful tool called Claude to find ways to break this code. They discovered two new ways to attack the code, but these attacks don't currently affect any production systems. This is an important development in the field of cryptography, as it shows the potential for AI models to find flaws in cryptographic algorithms.

Analysis

A $60B Vote of Confidence in AI-Powered Cryptanalysis

The recent discovery of improved attacks on cryptographic algorithms using Claude Mythos Preview is a significant development in the field of cryptography. Researchers at Anthropic have demonstrated the potential for AI models to find flaws in cryptographic algorithms, which could impact digital security. The first attack significantly weakens HAWK, a digital signature scheme, while the second identifies a new way to attack round-reduced AES. These findings do not currently affect any production systems, but they demonstrate the potential for AI models to discover flaws in cryptographic algorithms.

The researchers followed responsible disclosure procedures and consulted with academics to confirm the validity of their findings. They also shared advance copies with US government and industry partners and held discussions on the implications of this research. In the case of their HAWK finding, they shared their attack with the authors of HAWK in June and coordinated disclosure to the public NIST mailing list at the same time their results were released.

Why Claude is a Game-Changer in Cryptanalysis

Claude Mythos Preview is a powerful tool for discovering flaws in cryptographic algorithms. Its ability to autonomously find and exploit vulnerabilities in software, including cryptographic libraries, is a significant development in the field of cryptography. The researchers' use of Claude to discover improved attacks on HAWK and AES demonstrates the potential for AI models to find flaws in cryptographic algorithms.

The Road Ahead for Cryptanalysis and AI

The recent discovery of improved attacks on cryptographic algorithms using Claude Mythos Preview is a significant development in the field of cryptography. The researchers' responsible disclosure procedures and consultation with academics ensure that the findings are used to improve the security of cryptographic systems. As AI models continue to improve, it is likely that they will play an increasingly important role in the discovery of flaws in cryptographic algorithms.

Key points

  • Researchers at Anthropic used Claude Mythos Preview to discover improved attacks on cryptographic algorithms.
  • The first attack significantly weakens HAWK, a digital signature scheme.
  • The second attack identifies a new way to attack round-reduced AES.
  • These findings do not currently affect any production systems.
  • The researchers followed responsible disclosure procedures and consulted with academics to confirm the validity of their findings.
The Upside

The development of AI models like Claude that can discover flaws in cryptographic algorithms is a positive step towards improving the security of digital systems. As researchers continue to improve these models, it is likely that they will play an increasingly important role in the discovery of flaws in cryptographic algorithms.

The Downside

The discovery of improved attacks on cryptographic algorithms using Claude Mythos Preview highlights the potential risks of AI models in the field of cryptography. If these attacks were to be used in a malicious manner, they could potentially impact digital security.

Originally reported at

anthropic.com

Discernion covers the story. Read the full piece at the source.

Tagsai-agentscryptocryptographyresearchsecurity

Author

Anthropic

Intelligence analysis by

Llama

Published

Jul 28, 2026

Source

anthropic.com

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Topics

ai-agentscryptocryptographyresearchsecurity

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