A Framework for Evaluating Security in the Presence of Signal Injection Attacks

Research output: Chapter in book / Conference proceedingConference article published in proceeding or bookAcademic researchpeer-review

Abstract

Sensors are embedded in security-critical applications from medical devices to nuclear power plants, but their outputs can be spoofed through electromagnetic and other types of signals transmitted by attackers at a distance. To address the lack of a unifying framework for evaluating the effect of such transmissions, we introduce a system and threat model for signal injection attacks. We further define the concepts of existential, selective, and universal security, which address attacker goals from mere disruptions of the sensor readings to precise waveform injections. Moreover, we introduce an algorithm which allows circuit designers to concretely calculate the security level of real systems. Finally, we apply our definitions and algorithm in practice using measurements of injections against a smartphone microphone, and analyze the demodulation characteristics of commercial Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs). Overall, our work highlights the importance of evaluating the susceptibility of systems against signal injection attacks, and introduces both the terminology and the methodology to do so.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationComputer Security – ESORICS 2019 - 24th European Symposium on Research in Computer Security, Proceedings
EditorsKazue Sako, Steve Schneider, Peter Y.A. Ryan
PublisherSpringer
Pages512-532
Number of pages21
ISBN (Print)9783030299583
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2019
Event24th European Symposium on Research in Computer Security, ESORICS 2019 - Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Duration: 23 Sept 201927 Sept 2019

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
Volume11735 LNCS
ISSN (Print)0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)1611-3349

Conference

Conference24th European Symposium on Research in Computer Security, ESORICS 2019
Country/TerritoryLuxembourg
CityLuxembourg
Period23/09/1927/09/19

Keywords

  • Analog-to-Digital Converters
  • Electromagnetic interference
  • Non-linearities
  • Security metrics
  • Signal injection attacks

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Theoretical Computer Science
  • General Computer Science

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