FIPS 140-3 is not a security guarantee, and auditors know it
FIPS-validated modules shipped ROCA, EUCLEAK, Dual_EC_DRBG, and a YubiKey flaw caused by the FIPS self-tests themselves. What the certificate actually attests, what FIPS mode costs in performance, why it breaks Bitcoin tooling like BIP32, and where auditors actually look.
Summary
FIPS validation has been linked to several significant security flaws, including issues with ROCA and Dual_EC_DRBG. This piece examines the limitations of FIPS certification, its impact on system performance, and how it affects tools like Bitcoin’s BIP32, shedding light on what auditors really focus on during assessments.
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