https://github.com/julyanvdw/cryptographic-chat-app
An encrypted chat application built with python. Implements wireguard security protocol
https://github.com/julyanvdw/cryptographic-chat-app
cryptography customtkinter decryption encryption gui python wireguard
Last synced: about 1 month ago
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An encrypted chat application built with python. Implements wireguard security protocol
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/julyanvdw/cryptographic-chat-app
- Owner: julyanvdw
- Created: 2025-07-07T16:00:26.000Z (12 months ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2025-07-07T17:10:05.000Z (12 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2025-07-07T18:25:27.881Z (12 months ago)
- Topics: cryptography, customtkinter, decryption, encryption, gui, python, wireguard
- Language: Python
- Homepage:
- Size: 1.2 MB
- Stars: 0
- Watchers: 0
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 0
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Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
Awesome Lists containing this project
README
# WireGuard-Based Encrypted Chat Client
## Project Overview
This project is a secure, UDP-based chat client developed in Python. It features a graphical user interface (GUI) built using `customtkinter` and supports encrypted communication using an adapted WireGuard-like protocol. The application follows a modular architecture that separates encryption, networking, and user interface components, ensuring clarity, maintainability, and reusability.
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## Architecture Overview
The system is composed of four main modules:
- **Encryption**: Implements core cryptographic operations such as AEAD encryption, MACs, hashing, key exchange (Diffie-Hellman), and WireGuard-style handshake logic.
- **Encryption Manager**: Manages the session lifecycle, including handshakes, transport key derivation, and secure message encryption/decryption.
- **Chat Client**: Handles all UDP networking logic, message construction, request handling, and background listening.
- **GUI**: Built with `customtkinter`, this module presents the user interface and handles all user interactions. It communicates with the client and encryption modules but does not manage networking or security directly.
---
## Chat Protocol Support
The application implements all core chat commands required by the specification:
- `/CONNECT`, `/DISCONNECT`, `/PING`
- `/SET_USERNAME` to dynamically change usernames
- `/USER_LIST` and `/CHANNEL_LIST` with offset-based pagination
- `/CHANNEL_CREATE`, `/CHANNEL_JOIN`, `/CHANNEL_LEAVE`
- `/CHANNEL_MESSAGE` and `/USER_MESSAGE`
- `/WHOIS` and `/WHOAMI`
Additional features include:
- Offset-based pagination (20 users, 10 channels per page) with "Next" and "Previous" buttons
- Full support for request/response formatting and message parsing
- Context-aware feedback and timestamped chat messages
---
## Encryption Details
The encryption system adapts the WireGuard protocol for secure messaging:
- Each client and server maintains a pair of static and ephemeral keys.
- Handshake logic involves an initiation and response phase to derive shared session keys.
- Key derivation is performed using a combination of static/ephemeral keys and a KDF.
- Once the handshake is complete, encrypted messages are exchanged over UDP using the derived session keys.
---
## User Interface & Features
- Clean separation between user list, channel list, and central chat area
- Interactive listboxes for user/channel selection
- Tooltips and well-labeled buttons for ease of use
- **Dark Mode** for user comfort
- **Auto-/HELP** command listing
- **Clear Chat** feature to declutter the interface
- **Command Autocomplete** using `TAB`
- Clickable usernames to prefill direct message inputs
- Distinct error and success notifications
---
## Code Quality Highlights
- Clear separation of concerns across encryption, networking, and UI
- Modular and testable design
- Robust exception handling in networking threads
- Descriptive function names and meaningful comments
---
## Contributors
- Julyan van der Westhuizen (VWSJUL003)
- Keegan O’Brien (OBRKEE001)
- Angelo Yang (YNGANG003)
---
## Usage
1. Clone the repository and navigate to the root directory
2. Run `python chatClientGUI.py`
> Note: Ensure that your version of python has cutomtkinter installed / install customtkinter
> Note: At the time of writing, the corresponding chat **server** is up and running - this might not always be the case (so this chat client might end up having nothing to connect to)