RFC 3126 (rfc3126) - Page 2 of 84


Electronic Signature Formats for long term electronic signatures



Alternative Format: Original Text Document



RFC 3126              Electronic Signature Formats        September 2001


Table of Contents

   1.  Introduction                                                    4
   2  Overview                                                         5
   2.1  Aim                                                            5
   2.2  Basis of Present Document                                      5
   2.3  Major Parties                                                  6
   2.4  Electronic Signatures and Validation Data                      7
   2.5  Forms of Validation Data                                       8
   2.6  Extended Forms of Validation Data                             11
   2.7  Archive Validation Data                                       13
   2.8  Arbitration                                                   15
   2.9  Validation Process                                            15
   2.10  Example Validation Sequence                                  16
   2.11  Additional optional features                                 21
   3. Data structure of an Electronic Signature                       22
   3.1  General Syntax                                                22
   3.2  Data Content Type                                             22
   3.3  Signed-data Content Type                                      22
   3.4  SignedData Type                                               22
   3.5  EncapsulatedContentInfo Type                                  23
   3.6  SignerInfo Type                                               23
   3.6.1  Message Digest Calculation Process                          23
   3.6.2  Message Signature Generation Process                        24
   3.6.3  Message Signature Verification Process                      24
   3.7  CMS Imported Mandatory Present Attributes                     24
   3.7.1  Content Type                                                24
   3.7.2  Message Digest                                              24
   3.7.3  Signing Time                                                24
   3.8  Alternative Signing Certificate Attributes                    24
   3.8.1  ESS Signing Certificate Attribute Definition                25
   3.8.2  Other Signing Certificate Attribute Definition              25
   3.9  Additional Mandatory Attributes                               26
   3.9.1  Signature policy Identifier                                 26
   3.10  CMS Imported Optional Attributes                             28
   3.10.1  Countersignature                                           29
   3.11  ESS Imported Optional Attributes                             29
   3.11.1  Content Reference Attribute                                29
   3.11.2  Content Identifier Attribute                               29
   3.11.3  Content Hints Attribute                                    29
   3.12   Additional Optional Attributes                              30
   3.12.1  Commitment Type Indication Attribute                       30
   3.12.2  Signer Location attribute                                  32
   3.12.3  Signer Attributes attribute                                33
   3.12.4  Content Time-Stamp attribute                               34
   3.13  Support for Multiple Signatures                              34
   3.13.1  Independent Signatures                                     34
   3.13.2  Embedded Signatures                                        34



Pinkas, et al.               Informational