RFC 3741 (rfc3741) - Page 1 of 16

Exclusive XML Canonicalization, Version 1

Alternative Format: Original Text Document
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Network Working Group                                           J. Boyer
Request for Comments: 3741                            PureEdge Solutions
Category: Informational                                  D. Eastlake 3rd
                                                                Motorola
                                                               J. Reagle
                                                                     W3C
                                                              March 2004


              Exclusive XML Canonicalization, Version 1.0

Status of this Memo

   This memo provides information for the Internet community.  It does
   not specify an Internet standard of any kind.  Distribution of this
   memo is unlimited.

Copyright Notice

   Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2004).  All Rights Reserved.

Abstract

   Canonical XML specifies a standard serialization of XML that, when
   applied to a subdocument, includes the subdocument's ancestor context
   including all of the namespace declarations and attributes in the
   "xml:" namespace.  However, some applications require a method which,
   to the extent practical, excludes ancestor context from a
   canonicalized subdocument.  For example, one might require a digital
   signature over an XML payload (subdocument) in an XML message that
   will not break when that subdocument is removed from its original
   message and/or inserted into a different context.  This requirement
   is satisfied by Exclusive XML Canonicalization.

Table of Contents

   1.  Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2
       1.1.  Terminology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2
       1.2.  Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
       1.3.  Limitations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5
   2.  The Need for Exclusive XML Canonicalization. . . . . . . . . .  5
       2.1.  A Simple Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
       2.2.  General Problems with re-Enveloping. . . . . . . . . . .  7
   3.  Specification of Exclusive XML Canonicalization. . . . . . . .  8
       3.1.  Constrained Implementation (non-normative) . . . . . . .  9
   4.  Use in XML Security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
   5.  Security Considerations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
       5.1.  Target Context . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12



Boyer, et al.                Informational
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