This paper addresses the security of embedded systems, focusing on field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and their vulnerability to side-channel attacks, particularly timing attacks. We analyze the risks associated with traditional encryption devices and propose a novel methodology to mitigate Timing Side Channel Attacks (TSSA) at the application layer. Our approach ensures constant time execution for varying input sizes, achieved through a unique sub-algorithm that adapts to input variations and maintains uniform processing times. This methodology is supplemented by a novel ‘divider’ component and random time delays to obscure execution time correlations with input data. Additionally, we introduce a technique for balancing execution costs in cryptographic systems by constructing an enhanced Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) and normalizing the weights of execution paths. This comprehensive strategy effectively secures FPGAs against timing attacks, significantly contributing to embedded system security and paving the way for future advancements in cryptographic system defense.

错误:搜索内容不能为空,请输入英文关键词
错误:关键词超出字数限制,请精简
高级检索

Securing FPGAs Against Timing Side-Channel Attacks: A Novel Constant Time Approach

  • Souhail Mssassi,
  • Anas Abou El Kalam

摘要

This paper addresses the security of embedded systems, focusing on field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and their vulnerability to side-channel attacks, particularly timing attacks. We analyze the risks associated with traditional encryption devices and propose a novel methodology to mitigate Timing Side Channel Attacks (TSSA) at the application layer. Our approach ensures constant time execution for varying input sizes, achieved through a unique sub-algorithm that adapts to input variations and maintains uniform processing times. This methodology is supplemented by a novel ‘divider’ component and random time delays to obscure execution time correlations with input data. Additionally, we introduce a technique for balancing execution costs in cryptographic systems by constructing an enhanced Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) and normalizing the weights of execution paths. This comprehensive strategy effectively secures FPGAs against timing attacks, significantly contributing to embedded system security and paving the way for future advancements in cryptographic system defense.