Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Quantum Electronics and Laser Science Conference

Experimental implementation of non-gaussian attacks on a continuous-variable quantum key distribution system

Jérôme Lodewyck, Thierry Debuisschert, Raúl García−Patrón, Rosa Tualle-Brouri, Nicolas J. Cerf, Philippe Grangier

Published May 1, 2007• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

An intercept-resend attack on a continuous-variable quantum key distribution protocol is investigated experimentally. The users and eavesdropper available information rates are consistent with the optimality of Gaussian attacks resulting from the security proofs.
DOI
10.1109/qels.2007.4431692

Related papers

Experimental Implementation of Non-Gaussian Attacks on a Continuous-Variable Quantum-Key-Distribution System

Jérôme Lodewyck, Thierry Debuisschert, Raúl García−Patrón +3 more

An intercept-resend attack on a continuous-variable quantum-key-distribution protocol is investigated experimentally. By varying the interception fraction, one can implement a family of attacks where the eavesdropper totally controls the channel parameters. In general, such attacks add excess noise in the channel, and may also result in non-Gaussian output distributions. We implement and characterize the measurements needed to detect these attacks, and evaluate experimentally the information rates available to the legitimate users and the eavesdropper. The results are consistent with the optimality of Gaussian attacks resulting from the security proofs.

arXiv:quant-ph/0701238•Physical Review Letters•Jan 19, 2007•50 citations

Monitoring of continuous-variable quantum key distribution system in real environment

Weiqi Liu, Jinye Peng, Peng Huang +2 more

How to guarantee the practical security of continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) system has been an important issue in the quantum cryptography applications. In contrast to the previous practical security strategies, which focus on the intercept-resend attack or the Gaussian attack, we investigate the practical security strategy based on a general attack, i.e., an arbitrated individual attack or collective attack on the system by Eve in this paper. The low bound of intensity disturbance of the local oscillator signal for eavesdropper successfully concealing herself is obtained, considering all noises can be used by Eve in the practical environment. Furthermore, we obtain an optimal monitoring condition for the practical CVQKD system so that legitimate communicators can monitor the general attack in real-time. As examples, practical security of two special systems, i.e., the Gaussian modulated coherent state CVQKD system and the middle-based CVQKD system, are investigated under the intercept-resend attacks.

Optics Express•Aug 3, 2017•33 citations

Analysis of imperfections in practical continuous-variable quantum key distribution

Paul Jouguet, Sébastien Kunz-Jacques, Eleni Diamanti +1 more

As quantum key distribution becomes a mature technology, it appears clearly that some assumptions made in the security proofs cannot be justified in practical implementations. This might open the door to possible side-channel attacks. We examine several discrepancies between theoretical models and experimental setups in the case of continuous-variable quantum key distribution. We study in particular the impact of an imperfect modulation on the security of Gaussian protocols and show that approximating the theoretical Gaussian modulation with a discrete one is sufficient in practice. We also address the issue of properly calibrating the detection setup and in particular the value of the shot noise. Finally, we consider the influence of phase noise in the preparation stage of the protocol and argue that taking this noise into account can improve the secret key rate because this source of noise is not controlled by the eavesdropper.

arXiv:1206.6357•Physical Review A•Sep 10, 2012•233 citations

Demystifying Security Analysis of Intercept-and-Resend Attack Over Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) Protocols

Karthika Sorna Ilakkia J, Immanuel Johnraja Jebadurai, Getzi Jeba Leelipushpam Paulraj

In the contemporary quantum world, all the things depend on upcoming quantum technology because of its effectiveness and robustness on deploying it in certain devices. An important use of quantum cryptography is quantum key distribution (QKD), which promises strong security by utilising quantum mechanical properties. However, real-world attack strategies have created practical vulnerabilities. The practical security analysis of intercept-and-resend attacks over continuous variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) and discrete variable quantum key distribution (DV-QKD) protocols is investigated in this work. The simulation models can be developed using custom NumPy and QuTip, we systematically analyze the protocols performance under changing channel losses and attack probabilities for the successful emulation of quantum communication processes. In order to evaluate protocol robustness, our study assesses key security measures such as Key generation rate and channel loss exemplified by simulation over QKD protocols. Our simulation testbed shows the sensitivity of the protocols to Intercept-and-Resend (IR) attacks and recognize under various environments where the security premises breakdown. The main objective of this work is to bridge the research gap between quantum theoretic security and its deployment in real-world communication networks, provides a clear insight into the design and development of more sophisticated quantum secure framework.

International Conference on Sustainable Computing and Data Communication Systems (ICSCDS)•Aug 6, 2025•2 citations

Preventing calibration attacks on the local oscillator in continuous-variable quantum key distribution

Paul Jouguet, Sébastien Kunz-Jacques, Eleni Diamanti

Establishing an information-theoretic secret key between two parties using a quantum key distribution (QKD) system is only possible when an accurate characterization of the quantum channel and proper device calibration routines are combined. Indeed, security loopholes due to inappropriate calibration routines have been shown for discrete-variable QKD. Here, we propose and provide experimental evidence of an attack targeting the local oscillator calibration routine of a continuous-variable QKD system. The attack consists in manipulating the classical local oscillator pulses during the QKD run in order to modify the clock pulses used at the detection stage. This allows the eavesdropper to bias the shot-noise estimation usually performed using a calibrated relationship. This loophole can be used to perform successfully an intercept-resend attack. We characterize the loophole and suggest possible countermeasures.

arXiv:1304.7024•Physical Review A•Jun 11, 2013•320 citations

Saturation attack on continuous-variable quantum key distribution system

Hao Qin, Rupesh Kumar, Romain Alléaume

Continuous-variable quantum key distribution is proven in theory secure against general attacks, but side channel is still a crucial problem for practical setup, since security proofs do not take into account all possible experimental imperfections. In this paper, we consider a loophole that links to electronics limitation of homodyne detection. By using this loophole, we propose a saturation attack combined with intercept-resend attack on the practical continuous-variable quantum key distribution using Gaussian-modulated coherent state protocol. Under this attack, Eve can launch a full intercept-resend attack and further influence the excess noise estimated by Alice and Bob. We analyse this saturation attack with operating protocol and show that our attack could render secret key without being discovered. We also propose a countermeasure against such saturation attack.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Oct 29, 2013•39 citations
An intercept-resend attack on a continuous-variable quantum-key-distribution protocol is investigated experimentally. By varying the interception fraction, one can implement a family of attacks where the eavesdropper totally controls the channel parameters. In general, such attacks add excess noise in the channel, and may also result in non-Gaussian output distributions. We implement and characterize the measurements needed to detect these attacks, and evaluate experimentally the information rates available to the legitimate users and the eavesdropper. The results are consistent with the optimality of Gaussian attacks resulting from the security proofs.
How to guarantee the practical security of continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) system has been an important issue in the quantum cryptography applications. In contrast to the previous practical security strategies, which focus on the intercept-resend attack or the Gaussian attack, we investigate the practical security strategy based on a general attack, i.e., an arbitrated individual attack or collective attack on the system by Eve in this paper. The low bound of intensity disturbance of the local oscillator signal for eavesdropper successfully concealing herself is obtained, considering all noises can be used by Eve in the practical environment. Furthermore, we obtain an optimal monitoring condition for the practical CVQKD system so that legitimate communicators can monitor the general attack in real-time. As examples, practical security of two special systems, i.e., the Gaussian modulated coherent state CVQKD system and the middle-based CVQKD system, are investigated under the intercept-resend attacks.
As quantum key distribution becomes a mature technology, it appears clearly that some assumptions made in the security proofs cannot be justified in practical implementations. This might open the door to possible side-channel attacks. We examine several discrepancies between theoretical models and experimental setups in the case of continuous-variable quantum key distribution. We study in particular the impact of an imperfect modulation on the security of Gaussian protocols and show that approximating the theoretical Gaussian modulation with a discrete one is sufficient in practice. We also address the issue of properly calibrating the detection setup and in particular the value of the shot noise. Finally, we consider the influence of phase noise in the preparation stage of the protocol and argue that taking this noise into account can improve the secret key rate because this source of noise is not controlled by the eavesdropper.
In the contemporary quantum world, all the things depend on upcoming quantum technology because of its effectiveness and robustness on deploying it in certain devices. An important use of quantum cryptography is quantum key distribution (QKD), which promises strong security by utilising quantum mechanical properties. However, real-world attack strategies have created practical vulnerabilities. The practical security analysis of intercept-and-resend attacks over continuous variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) and discrete variable quantum key distribution (DV-QKD) protocols is investigated in this work. The simulation models can be developed using custom NumPy and QuTip, we systematically analyze the protocols performance under changing channel losses and attack probabilities for the successful emulation of quantum communication processes. In order to evaluate protocol robustness, our study assesses key security measures such as Key generation rate and channel loss exemplified by simulation over QKD protocols. Our simulation testbed shows the sensitivity of the protocols to Intercept-and-Resend (IR) attacks and recognize under various environments where the security premises breakdown. The main objective of this work is to bridge the research gap between quantum theoretic security and its deployment in real-world communication networks, provides a clear insight into the design and development of more sophisticated quantum secure framework.
Establishing an information-theoretic secret key between two parties using a quantum key distribution (QKD) system is only possible when an accurate characterization of the quantum channel and proper device calibration routines are combined. Indeed, security loopholes due to inappropriate calibration routines have been shown for discrete-variable QKD. Here, we propose and provide experimental evidence of an attack targeting the local oscillator calibration routine of a continuous-variable QKD system. The attack consists in manipulating the classical local oscillator pulses during the QKD run in order to modify the clock pulses used at the detection stage. This allows the eavesdropper to bias the shot-noise estimation usually performed using a calibrated relationship. This loophole can be used to perform successfully an intercept-resend attack. We characterize the loophole and suggest possible countermeasures.
Continuous-variable quantum key distribution is proven in theory secure against general attacks, but side channel is still a crucial problem for practical setup, since security proofs do not take into account all possible experimental imperfections. In this paper, we consider a loophole that links to electronics limitation of homodyne detection. By using this loophole, we propose a saturation attack combined with intercept-resend attack on the practical continuous-variable quantum key distribution using Gaussian-modulated coherent state protocol. Under this attack, Eve can launch a full intercept-resend attack and further influence the excess noise estimated by Alice and Bob. We analyse this saturation attack with operating protocol and show that our attack could render secret key without being discovered. We also propose a countermeasure against such saturation attack.