This project implements Lamport's one-way hash chain authentication protocol using Qt6 and Crypto++

• GUI-based application with real-time protocol visualization
• Network communication between Alice (Verifier) and Bob (Prover)
• SHA-256 based hash chain generation
• Configurable parameters via config.ini
• Progress tracking and detailed logging

The protocol is a challenge-response system where identity is proven using a one-way hash chain. The process involves two key phases:

1. Setup Phase: Bob generates hash chain h₀ → h₁ → ... → hₓ and provides hₓ to Alice.

2. Challenge-Response Phase:

   • Alice sends challenge c (counter value)
   • Bob computes response r = H^(n-c)(h₀)
   • Alice verifies: Hash(r) = last valid hash
   • This repeats for n-1 rounds

This ensures forward security: each hash is used only once and is irreversible.

Edit config.ini to modify:

• Network settings (IP addresses and ports)
• Chain length (default: 100)
• Sleep duration between rounds (default: 1000ms)

• One-way hash provides authentication
• Each hash value is used only once
• Forward security maintained

• Qt 6.9.2 (or compatible Qt6 version)
• CMake
• Crypto++
• MinGW compiler (for Windows) or g++ (for Linux)

Depending on your platform, you should use the appropriate CMakeLists file

• Windows: info/CMakeLists_windows.txt
• Linux (Ubuntu): info/CMakeLists_linux.txt

Ensure you consult the correct file for platform-specific build configurations.

1. Clone the repository.
2. Configure config.ini as needed.

git clone https://github.com/Microsoft/vcpkg.git
cd vcpkg
./bootstrap-vcpkg.bat
./vcpkg install cryptopp:x64-mingw-static

mkdir build
cd build
cmake .. -DCMAKE_PREFIX_PATH="C:/Qt/6.9.2/mingw_64/lib/cmake" -DCMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE="C:/Users/anubh/vcpkg/scripts/buildsystems/vcpkg.cmake"

cmake -G "MinGW Makefiles" -S . -B build
cmake --build build
cmake --build build --target run

sudo apt update
sudo apt install build-essential cmake qt6-base-dev qt6-tools-dev libcrypto++-dev

mkdir build
cd build
cmake ./..
cmake --build .

• Launch Alice (Verifier):

  cd build
  ./LamportAuthProtocol.exe

  Click "Start as Alice (Verifier)" in GUI.

• Launch Bob (Prover):

  cd build
  ./LamportAuthProtocol.exe

  Click "Start as Bob (Prover)" in GUI.

• On both platforms, two separate instances are required (Alice and Bob).
• The protocol automatically performs 99 rounds with 1-second intervals.

For questions or issues, please contact the project maintainer.