🔐 CipherChat — Secure End-to-End Encrypted Messenger (Python)

CipherChat is a professional-grade encrypted chat system featuring Signal Protocol security (X3DH + Double Ratchet), TLS transport encryption, and dual IPv4/IPv6 support. Messages are protected with perfect forward secrecy, future secrecy, and zero-knowledge messaging — ensuring that even the server cannot read user messages.

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✨ Features

🔐 End-to-End Encryption (Signal Protocol)

• X3DH handshake for key exchange
• Double Ratchet for per-message forward secrecy
• X25519 ECDH key agreement
• AES-256-GCM authenticated encryption

🛡 MITM Protection

• TOFU (Trust-On-First-Use) key pinning
• Key fingerprints & safety numbers
• Key change warnings and verification prompts

🌐 Network & Transport Security

• TLS 1.2+ encrypted transport layer
• Dual IPv4/IPv6 support with fallback
• Real-time delivery (TCP_NODELAY)
• Zero-knowledge server design

💬 Chat Features

• Multi-user secure messaging
• Broadcast encrypted messages
• Identity verification guidance
• Presence updates (join/leave)

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🚀 Quick Start

📌 Requirements

• Python 3.8 or higher
• OpenSSL (recommended for certificate generation)

📦 Install Dependencies

pip install -r requirements.txt

🔑 Generate TLS Certificates

python generate_certs.py

🖥 Start the Server

python server.py

💬 Start a Client

python client_v2.py

Enter:

• Server address:localhost or IP
• Port:5000 (default)
• Username: any name

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📖 Usage (Security Demonstration)

🔐 First Contact (TOFU Key Verification)

============================================================
[TOFU] First contact with Bob
============================================================
Identity fingerprint:
SHA256:abcd1234...ef567890
Verify this fingerprint with Bob out-of-band (phone, in person)
============================================================

⚠️ Key Change Warning Example

⚠️ SECURITY WARNING: Bob's key changed!
Do NOT accept unless verified with Bob!

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🧠 Architecture Overview

🔑 Key Exchange (X3DH)

Alice → Server → Bob (key bundle)
│ │
└── Performs DH ops ┘
→ shared secret

🔄 Forward Secrecy (Double Ratchet)

• New keys on every message
• Past messages safe even if keys leak

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📂 Project Structure

CipherChat/
├── server.py # Secure chat server (TLS + bundle relay)
├── client_v2.py # Signal client with TOFU + Ratchet
├── x3dh.py # X3DH key agreement
├── double_ratchet.py # Double Ratchet protocol
├── x25519_utils.py # X25519 ECDH + fingerprints
├── crypto_utils.py # AES-GCM encryption
├── generate_certs.py # TLS certificate generator
├── config.py # Configuration options
└── certs/ # 🔒 (ignored) Local TLS keys

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🔒 Security Notes

Protected

✔ Message content (E2E)
✔ Transport layer (TLS)
✔ Forward secrecy
✔ MITM (with user verification)

Not Protected

❌ Metadata (who talks to whom)
❌ Timing/traffic analysis
❌ First-contact MITM if user ignores fingerprint verification

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📜 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.
See LICENSE for details.

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🙌 Contributions

Contributions, audits, and improvements are welcome!
Secure coding tips or vulnerability reports are especially appreciated.