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

该项目调查了无线网络节点中恶意硬件修改（硬件木马）引发的风险，旨在开发补救措施，从而实现安全部署和促进技术可信度。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，它们传输数据的能力通常是在公共通道上加密的，这使它们成为主要的攻击目标。因此，该项目提供了一种将信息理论与集成电路设计和测试实践相结合的协同方法。本项目侧重于(1)对无线网络中硬件木马引发的风险进行建模；(2)通过对基带处理器和射频前端设计现实的基于硬件木马的攻击来阐明这一风险；(3)制定防止无线网络中硬件木马插入和促进检测的对策。(4)利用流行的实验平台，通过定制设计的无木马和感染木马的射频ic，展示攻击的可行性和对策有效性。调查人员参加了德克萨斯大学达拉斯分校网络安全研究与教育研究所组织的外展活动。

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.