Authors
Hao Cheng, Daniel Page, Weijia Wang
Publication date
2024
Journal
IACR Transactions on Cryptographic Hardware and Embedded Systems
Issue
2
Pages
329-358
Description
Even given a state-of-the-art masking scheme, masked software implementation of some cryptography functionality can pose significant challenges stemming, eg, from simultaneous requirements for efficiency and security. In this paper we design an Instruction Set Extension (ISE) to address a specific element of said challenge, namely the elimination of leakage stemming from architectural and micro-architectural overwriting. Conceptually, the ISE allows a leakage-focused behavioural hint to be communicated from software to the micro-architecture: using it informs how computation is realised when applied to masking-specific data, which then offers an opportunity to eliminate associated leakage. We develop prototype, latency-and area-optimised implementations of the ISE design based on the RISC-V Ibex core. Using them, we demonstrate that use of the ISE can close the gap between assumptions about and actual behaviour of a device and thereby deliver an improved security guarantee.
Total citations
2023202411
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