Rijndael AESLib

Summary

This repository includes:

• C++ implementation of Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), as it described in NIST.FIPS.197-upd1
• C++ implementation of Secure Hash Standard (SHS) algorithm SHA-256, as it described in NIST.FIPS.180-4
• C++/CLI interface library for usage C++ AES implementation in C#-based apps
• Simple C#-based cryptography tool Rijndael, utilising AES for encrypting/decrypting files.

Usage

This section separated to two subsections - usage of AESLib and usage of Rijndael app.

---

AESLib

Purpose

This library provides open-source, independent and fully-tested (code coverage by tests ~90%) implementation of AES, "closely following the textbook". Feel free to use it in your own projects (of course, following License terms).

Requirements

• Windows-based OS (Developed on Win 10)
• Visual Studio Community 2022 Version 17.14.18 (October 2025)
  • Microsoft.Component.MSBuild
  • Visual C++ 2022 (package "Desktop development with C++" in VS Installer)
    • Microsoft.VisualStudio.Component.VC.Redist.14.Latest
    • Microsoft.VisualStudio.Component.VC.CLI.Support
  • C# Tools 4.14.0 (package in VS Installer)
    • Microsoft.Net.Component.4.8.SDK
    • Microsoft.Net.Component.4.8.TargetingPack

IDE/SDK configuration

For installation of all required components you need to open Visual Studio Installer -> Workloads, and install next packages:

• Desktop development with C++
• .NET desktop development

After this, you need to open Visual Studio Installer -> Individual components, and there install next components:

• .NET Framework 4.8 SDK
• .NET Framework 4.8 targeting pack
• C++/CLI support for v143 build tools (Latest)

Deployment

1. Clone this repo to your computer using: git clone https://github.com/DaniilGalahov/Rijndael-AESLib.git
2. Open it in Visual Studio
3. Rebuild solution (typically Ctrl+Alt+F7)
4. ...
5. PROFIT! Ready!

Contents

AESLib provides:

• Static C++ library AESLib, implementing basic functional of AES (encryption and decryption of data)
• C++/CLI interface AESBridge, providing access to AESLib functional from C#-based apps

Connecting to third-party project

Library made to be versalite and easy for usage, so to connect it to other project, you should follow standard library integration procedure.

To use in C++ project, add AESLib in list of projects of your solution, and add reference to AESLib in project references or add AESLib directory of this solution to Include directory of your project. Here is a detailed description of integration static C++ library into C++ project.

To use in C# project, add AESBridge and AESLib in list of projects of your solution, and add reference to this projects in your project. Here is a detailed description of integration C++/CLI components into .NET project

Coding

C++

1. Include std::vector (you will need it for work with library) and library header itself

#include "vector"
#include "AESLib.h"

2. Use required namespaces

	using namespace std;
	using namespace AESLib;

3. To encrypt data

	vector<unsigned char> openData = yourData; //open data as array of bytes (loaded from file, stream, etc.)
	vector<unsigned char> userKey = yourKey; //user-provided key as array of bytes
	Mode mode = Mode::AES128; //encrypting mode (AES128, AES192, AES256 available)
	vector<unsigned char> encryptedData = Encrypt(openData, userKey, mode); //encrypt your data with provided key using given AES mode and return array of bytes (encrypted data).

4. To decrypt data

	vector<unsigned char> encryptedData = yourData; //encrypted data as array of bytes (loaded from file, stream, etc.)
	vector<unsigned char> userKey = yourKey; //user-provided key as array of bytes
	Mode mode = Mode::AES128; //encrypting mode (AES128, AES192, AES256 available)
	vector<unsigned char> openData = Decrypt(encryptedData, userKey, mode); //decrypt your encrypted data using provided key and given AES mode, and return array of bytes (decrypted data).

C#

1. Use System and AESBridge

using System;
using AESBridge;

2. To encrypt data

	Byte[] openData = yourData; //open data as array of bytes (loaded from file, stream, etc.)
	Byte[] userKey = yourKey; //user-provided key as array of bytes
	Mode mode = Mode.AES128; //encrypting mode (AES128, AES192, AES256 available)
	Byte[] encryptedData = AES.Encrypt(openData, userKey, mode); //encrypt your data with provided key using given AES mode and return array of bytes (encrypted data).

3. To decrypt data

	Byte[] encryptedData = yourData; //encrypted data as array of bytes (loaded from file, stream, etc.)
	Byte[] userKey = yourKey; //user-provided key as array of bytes
	Mode mode = Mode.AES128; //encrypting mode (AES128, AES192, AES256 available)
	Byte[] openData = AES.Decrypt(encryptedData, userKey, mode); //decrypt your encrypted data using provided key and given AES mode, and return array of bytes (decrypted data).

---

Rijndael

Latest version of Rijndael app can be downloaded here.

Purpose

This app provides core functionality of AES cryptography, especially:

• encrypting files
• decrypting files

Important notices

1. This app does not (yet) realize PBKDF2-HMAC KDF logic - i.e., the AES ciphering in this app utilize key without random salt. This is enough for typical tasks, but not yet fully followed modern standards of encrypting. Use big (10+ symbols) and well-randomized password for encrypting important information!
2. WARNING!!! You need clearly understand that this is military grade encrypting system. I.e., if you encrypt your data and forget (or lost) the password, NO ONE will be able to decrypt your information! Typical brute-force time for deciphering AES-256 exceeds time of heat death of Universe.

User interface

User interface of the app allows to set up source, destination and parameters of encrypting/decrypting, initialize encryption/decryption process, and receive feedback from the app.

UI elements

• Source file field - displays and allows to input path to source file (file with data you want to process). You can type the path to file by yourself or select it via GUI dialogue through "Browse" button near the end of the field.
• Destination file field - displays and allows to input path to destination file (file where processed data will be saved). You can type the path to file by yourself or select it via GUI dialogue through "Browse" button near the end of the field.
• Password field - allows to input your password (any symbols accepted).
• AES standard combo box - displays selected AES standard and allows to select other available (AES-128, AES-192 or AES-256).
• Encrypt button - initializes encrytion process. Open data from your source file will be encrypted and saved as AES-ciphered data in destination file.
• Decrypt button - initializes decrytion process. Encrypted data from your source file will be decrypted and saved as open data in destination file.
• Status string - displays current application status.
• Help link - opens your default web browser and deliver you to the project page (this one you are reading now).

Notice: system does not touch any info in source file (read-only access), and does not allow to overwrite destination file.

---

Questions

Feel free to ask me through PM if you have any questions or offers.

Legal notice

This software is distributing under MIT/BSD-like license. Full terms are available in the License file.

Logo image of Rijndael AESLib and an icon of Rijndael application was generated by ChatGPT 5.