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IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics

Attack to Quantum Cryptosystems Through RF Fingerprints From Photon Detectors

Kadir Durak, Naser Chamani Jam, Saeid Karamzadeh

Published Jun 15, 2021• 8 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The well-known RF penetration method is implemented on the quantum cryptosystems. In this study, RF radiations from the single photon detectors in a quantum key distribution system are intercepted. It was found that the data contents of a quantum transmission system can be detected from the vicinity of the receiving parties by exploiting the radiations of avalanche effect of single photon detectors. We showed that any Geiger-mode avalanche photodetector acts like a downconverter that converts the optical-wavelength photons to radio-wavelength photons. In our experiment, the fingerprints of the avalanche radiations from commercial single photon detectors were fed to a trained deep learning neural network, and the bit content of quantum transmission was cloned with >99% accuracy up to a distance of 2 meters from the detectors. We also speculate on the enhancement of the key cloning accuracy and range of the eavesdropping.

DOI
10.1109/jstqe.2021.3089638

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The well-known RF penetration method is implemented on the quantum cryptosystems. In this study, RF radiations from the single photon detectors in a quantum key distribution system are intercepted. It was found that the data contents of a quantum transmission system can be detected from the vicinity of the receiving parties by exploiting the radiations of avalanche effect of single photon detectors. We showed that any Geiger-mode avalanche photodetector acts like a downconverter that converts the optical-wavelength photons to radio-wavelength photons. In our experiment, the fingerprints of the avalanche radiations from commercial single photon detectors were fed to a trained deep learning neural network, and the bit content of quantum transmission was cloned with >99% accuracy up to a distance of 2 meters from the detectors. We also speculate on the enhancement of the key cloning accuracy and range of the eavesdropping.
A newfound security breach in the physical nature of single photon detectors that are generally used in quantum key distribution is explained, we found that the bit contents of a quantum key transmission system can be intercepted from far away by exploiting the ultrawideband electromagnetic signals radiated from hi-voltage avalanche effect of single photon detectors. It means that in fact any Geiger mode avalanche photodiode that is used inside single photon detectors systematically acts like a downconverter that converts the optical-wavelength photons to radio-wavelength photons that can be intercepted by an antenna as side channel attack. Our experiment showed that the radiated waveforms captured by the antenna can be used as a fingerprint. These finger prints were fed to a deep learning neural network as training data, and after training the neural network was able to clone the bit content of quantum transmission.
In this thesis an unprecedented cyber-physical attack which can be a game changer in the quantum cryptosystems' security is explained. This attack is the first non-optical patented intercept in quantum field that is based on a security issue in the physical layer of the quantum communication and key distribution systems. We experimentally and theoretically showed that the bit contents of a quantum key transmission system can be intercepted from far away by exploiting the ultrawideband electromagnetic signals radiated from the hi-voltage avalanche effect of the single photon detectors. This concept was a significant hidden secret based on the physical nature of the single photon detectors that are generally used in quantum key distribution. It has been proved theoretically and experimentally that any Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode that is used inside single photon detectors, systematically acts like a downconverter that converts the optical-wavelength photons to radio-wavelength photons. Our experiments also showed that the radiated waveforms captured by an ultrawideband antenna can be used as a unique fingerprint to find which photodiode in the cryptosystem has absorbed a photon. These fingerprints were fed to a deep learning neural network as training data, and after training, the neural network was able to clone the bit content of quantum transmission with high accuracy.
Secondary photons released from photon detector when quantum cryptographic keys are shared between parties represent a significant eavesdropping threat. Attempts to listen in on quantum key distributions are, in theory, detected as automatic changes to quantum states. But Alice Meda from the INRIM in Italy and colleagues have now demonstrated that the detectors used to spot single photons in many commercial quantum key distribution boxes can leak information through ‘backflash’–bursts of light triggered when a photon hits an avalanche photodiode. The team constructed a sensitive new machine for detecting backflashes and determined data leakage rates nearing 10%. As well, each photodetector emitted specific signatures that might give attackers another entry point. Wide-bandwidth filters or special circulators incorporated into the quantum boxes can help secure this breach, the researchers propose.
We introduce the concept of a superlinear threshold detector, a detector that has a higher probability to detect multiple photons if it receives them simultaneously rather than at separate times. Highly superlinear threshold detectors in quantum key distribution systems allow eavesdropping the full secret key without being revealed. Here, we generalize the detector control attack, and analyze how it performs against quantum key distribution systems with moderately superlinear detectors. We quantify the superlinearity in superconducting single-photon detectors based on earlier published data, and gated avalanche photodiode detectors based on our own measurements. The analysis shows that quantum key distribution systems using detector(s) of either type can be vulnerable to eavesdropping. The avalanche photodiode detector becomes superlinear toward the end of the gate. For systems expecting substantial loss, or for systems not monitoring loss, this would allow eavesdropping using trigger pulses containing less than 120 photons per pulse. Such an attack would be virtually impossible to catch with an optical power meter at the receiver entrance.
Abstract Quantum key distribution (QKD), rooted in quantum mechanics, offers information-theoretic security. However, practical systems open security threats due to imperfections, notably bright-light blinding attacks targeting single-photon detectors. Here, we propose a concise, robust defense strategy for protecting single-photon detectors in QKD systems against blinding attacks. Our strategy uses a dual approach: detecting the bias current of the avalanche photodiode (APD) to defend against continuous-wave blinding attacks, and monitoring the avalanche amplitude to protect against pulsed blinding attacks. By integrating these two branches, the proposed solution effectively identifies and mitigates a wide range of bright light injection attempts, significantly enhancing the resilience of QKD systems against various bright-light blinding attacks. This method fortifies the safeguards of quantum communications and offers a crucial contribution to the field of quantum information security.
As necessary steps toward practical and secure quantum key distribution (QKD), identifying and patching possible attacks are important and valuable. This study discusses an avalanche-transition-region (ATR) attack on a gated-mode avalanche photodiode (APD) detector, widely used in QKD systems. Unlike other attacks, this one leaves almost no trace; the eavesdropper introduces less than 0.5% quantum bit-error rate, and the photocurrent and afterpulse probability before and after hacking are nearly identical. These findings highlight the importance of detection signals in real-life QKD systems, and are crucial to enhancing the security of practical QKD.