TWC: Medium: Hardware Trojans in Wireless Networks - Risks and Remedies

该项目调查无线网络节点中恶意硬件修改(硬件特洛伊木马)引发的风险，旨在开发补救措施，从而实现安全部署并培养技术可信度。由于全球化集成电路(IC)供应链缺乏保障机制，硬件木马最近成为人们日益关注的话题。与此同时，无线网络构成了现代电子系统不可或缺的一部分，它们通过公共通道传输通常加密的数据的能力使其成为主要攻击目标。因此，本项目提供了一种将信息理论与IC设计和测试实践相结合的协同方法。本项目的重点是(1)对无线网络中硬件木马所引发的风险进行建模，(2)通过在基带处理器和射频前端设计实际的基于硬件木马的攻击来阐明这种风险，(3)开发防止插入和促进检测无线网络中的硬件木马的对策，以及(4)使用定制设计的无木马和木马肆虐的射频IC来增强流行的实验平台，以验证攻击的可行性和对抗效果。调查人员参加了德克萨斯大学达拉斯分校网络安全研究和教育研究所组织的外联活动。

This project investigates the risks instigated by malicious hardware modifications (hardware Trojans) in the nodes of a wireless network and aims to develop remedies, thereby enabling secure deployment and fostering technology trustworthiness. Due to the lack of assurance mechanisms in the globalized integrated circuit (IC) supply chain, hardware Trojans have recently become the topic of intensified concern. At the same time, wireless networks constitute an indispensable part of modern electronic systems and their ability to communicate data that is typically encrypted over public channels makes them a prime attack target. Accordingly, this project provides a synergistic approach that combines information theory with IC design and test practices.This project focuses on (1) modeling the risk induced by hardware Trojans in wireless networks, (2) elucidating this risk by designing realistic hardware Trojan-based attacks on both the baseband processor and the RF front-end, (3) developing countermeasures for preventing insertion and facilitating detection of hardware Trojans in wireless networks, and (4) demonstrating attack feasibility and countermeasure effectiveness using popular experimentation platforms enhanced with custom-designed Trojan-free and Trojan-infested Radio Frequency ICs. The investigators participate in outreach activities organized by Cybersecurity Research and Education Institute at the University of Texas at Dallas.