RFC 1320 · HISTORIC · 1992
SUN · 14 JUN 2026
The MD4 Message-Digest Algorithm
Overview
RFC 1320, “The MD4 Message-Digest Algorithm”, is a Historic document published in April 1992 by R. Rivest. It obsoletes RFC 1186. It has been obsoleted by RFC 6150 — refer to the newer document for the authoritative version. The canonical text is published by the RFC Editor.
Abstract
This document describes the MD4 message-digest algorithm [1]. The algorithm takes as input a message of arbitrary length and produces as output a 128-bit "fingerprint" or "message digest" of the input. This memo provides information for the Internet community. It does not specify an Internet standard.
What “Historic” means
A specification that has been superseded or is otherwise no longer recommended for use.
Read this RFC
The canonical text of RFC 1320 is hosted at rfc-editor.org. Available in TXT,HTML.
Relationships to other RFCs
Other RFCs from 1992
- RFC 1319 The MD2 Message-Digest Algorithm
- RFC 1321 The MD5 Message-Digest Algorithm
- RFC 1318 Definitions of Managed Objects for Parallel-printer-like Hardware Devices
- RFC 1322 A Unified Approach to Inter-Domain Routing
- RFC 1317 Definitions of Managed Objects for RS-232-like Hardware Devices
- RFC 1323 TCP Extensions for High Performance
- RFC 1316 Definitions of Managed Objects for Character Stream Devices
- RFC 1324 A Discussion on Computer Network Conferencing