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[Bug] An asymmetric key_id has no defined binding to an identity, no publication, and no revocation #460

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@rocklambros

Checked on integration at d09e1bd.

For the ACS-Crypto algorithms, §10 of the Instrument specification says key_id "identifies the public key or hybrid key descriptor". Nothing says how a verifier resolves a key_id to a public key, which party (Guardian or Observed Agent) owns that key, or how a key is retired after a leak. §10 leaves key distribution out of band, and issue #11 covers the same question for the HMAC baseline only.

Without those three things, a third party holding a signed decision cannot tell whether it came from the Guardian, from the agent, or from a key that was revoked before the signature was made. That is the property ACS-Crypto exists to add over HMAC (§8.6).

Expected: the spec names how an asymmetric key_id resolves (for example a key set the deployment publishes at a declared location), binds each key to the Guardian or Observed Agent identity, and says how a verifier learns that a key was revoked and from when.

Found by the premortem on the ACS mapping against AARM (issue #213). AARM R5 requires receipt signatures verifiable offline with the public keys available.

Activity

  1. added
    type:bugSomething isn't working
    scope:in-focusFeeds the ninety-day committed outcome. Maintainers only
    status:acceptedIn the backlog. Maintainers only
    on Nov 1, 2026
  2. self-assigned this
    on Nov 1, 2026
  3. rocklambros commented on Nov 1, 2026

    @rocklambros
    CollaboratorAuthor

    Merge note: this adds to the v0.1.0 wire, so the PR waits on the 0.x version rule (issue #32, item 5) to settle whether it ships in a 0.1.x release or under a v0.2.0 spec $id.

  4. moved this from Needs triage to Accepted in ACS Project Trackeron Nov 1, 2026
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priority:P2Maintainers onlyscope:in-focusFeeds the ninety-day committed outcome. Maintainers onlystatus:acceptedIn the backlog. Maintainers onlytype:bugSomething isn't workingworkstream:specOwning workstream. Maintainers only

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