Microsoft Windows 8, Microsoft Windows Server 2012, Microsoft Windows RT, Microsoft Surface Windows RT, Microsoft Surface Windows 8 Pro, Microsoft Windows Phone 8, and Microsoft Windows Storage Server 2012 Kernel Mode Cryptographic Primitives Library (CNG.SYS)
Microsoft Windows 8, Microsoft Windows Server 2012, Microsoft Windows RT, Microsoft Surface Windows RT, Microsoft Surface Windows 8 Pro, Microsoft Windows Phone 8, and Microsoft Windows Storage Server 2012 Kernel Mode Cryptographic Primitives Library (CNG.SYS), from Microsoft Corporation, holds FIPS 140-2 certificate #1891 at overall level 1. The validation is historical: agencies may keep the module in existing systems but not buy it new. Below are its validation history, algorithm certificates and security policy, drawn from the NIST CMVP entry.
Certificate
| Certificate number | 1891 |
|---|---|
| Standard | FIPS 140-2 |
| Status | historical |
| Overall level | 1 |
| Module type | Software |
| Embodiment | Multi-chip standalone |
| Vendor | Microsoft Corporation · website |
| Software versions | 6.2.9200 |
Module description
Quoted from the NIST CMVP entry for this certificate.
Kernel Mode Cryptographic Primitives Library (CNG.SYS) runs as a kernel mode export driver, and provides cryptographic services, through their documented interfaces, to Windows kernel components. It supports several cryptographic algorithms accessible via a FIPS function table request IRP (I/O request packet). This cryptographic module also maintains FIPS 140-2 validation compliance (according to FIPS 140-2 PUB Implementation Guidance G.5) on Microsoft Windows 8, Microsoft Windows 8 Pro, and Microsoft Windows Server 2012 Datacenter.
Security level exceptions
- Design Assurance: Level 2
Approved algorithms (11)
| Algorithm | CAVP certificates |
|---|---|
| AES | 2197, 2216 |
| DRBG | 258, 259 |
| ECDSA | 341 |
| HMAC | 1345 |
| KAS | 36 |
| KBKDF | 3 |
| PBKDF | vendor affirmed |
| RNG | 1110 |
| RSA | 1133, 1134 |
| SHS | 1903 |
| Triple-DES | 1387 |
Other algorithms
AES (Cert. #2197, key wrapping; key establishment methodology provides between 128 and 256 bits of encryption strength); DES; Legacy CAPI KDF; MD2; MD4; MD5; HMAC MD5; RC2; RC4; RSA (encrypt/decrypt)
Tested configurations
- Microsoft Windows 8 Enterprise (x64) running on a Dell PowerEdge SC430 without PAA
- Microsoft Windows 8 Enterprise (x64) running on Intel Core i7 with PAA running on an Intel Client Desktop
- Microsoft Windows 8 Enterprise (x86) running on a Dell Dimension C521
- Microsoft Windows 8 Pro (x64) running on an Intel x64 Processor with PAA running on a Microsoft Surface Windows 8 Pro
- Microsoft Windows Phone 8 (ARMv7 Thumb-2) running on a Windows Phone 8
- Microsoft Windows RT (ARMv7 Thumb-2) running on a Microsoft Surface Windows RT
- Microsoft Windows RT (ARMv7 Thumb-2) running on a Qualcomm Tablet
- Microsoft Windows RT (ARMv7 Thumb-2) running on an NVIDIA Tegra 3 Tablet
- Microsoft Windows Server 2012 (x64) running on a Dell PowerEdge SC430 without PAA
- Microsoft Windows Server 2012 (x64) running on Intel Core i7 with PAA running on an Intel Client Desktop
- Microsoft Windows Storage Server 2012 (x64) running on an Intel Maho Bay with PAA
- Microsoft Windows Storage Server 2012 (x64) running on an Intel Maho Bay without PAA (single-user mode)
Validation history
| Date | Type | Lab |
|---|---|---|
| 2013-09-06 | Initial | Leidos Accredited Testing & Evaluation (AT&E) Lab |
| 2015-01-09 | Update | Leidos Accredited Testing & Evaluation (AT&E) Lab |
Status timeline
As observed by this tracker's snapshots. NIST publishes no dates for list moves; observation began 2026-08-21, so earlier changes carry no date.
- 2026-08-21: first observed by this tracker, status historical
- Validation dates on record: 2013-09-06, 2015-01-09