Securing Hardware Designs Against Unauthorized Use and Overproduction Through Polymorphic Switch Boxes and Security-Aware High-Level Synthesis

Conceitos essenciais

This paper presents an interconnect obfuscation methodology at the Register-Transfer Level (RTL) using Switch Boxes (SBs) constructed of Polymorphic Transistors to protect integrated circuit designs from unauthorized use and illegal overproduction. Security-aware high-level synthesis algorithms are also introduced to strategically assign RTL interconnects to functional units in a way that corrupts multiple outputs when the polymorphic SBs are incorrectly unlocked.

Resumo

The paper discusses an RTL interconnect obfuscation method using polymorphic transistors to construct Switch Boxes (SBs). Polymorphic transistors can exhibit both n-type and p-type behavior based on the voltage levels applied to their control and polarity gates, enabling logic encryption and camouflaging.

The key highlights are:

1. Polymorphic SBs are designed using the same transistor count as their CMOS counterparts, but with more key-bit combinations to confuse attackers.
2. Security-aware high-level synthesis algorithms are presented to strategically assign RTL interconnects to functional units that impact multiple outputs. This ensures that when a polymorphic SB is inserted at those locations, incorrect key-bit identification would corrupt all the affected outputs.
3. The obfuscated design is tested against the SMT-based RTL Logic Attack, and the results show that the method is resilient, with the attack timing out after 10 hours without deciphering the key.

The paper aims to provide a secure hardware generation approach at the higher RTL abstraction level, which has fewer design components compared to gate-level obfuscation techniques that may require expensive re-synthesis cycles.

Estatísticas

The paper does not contain any specific numerical data or statistics. It focuses on the methodology and evaluation of the proposed RTL interconnect obfuscation approach.

Citações

The paper does not contain any direct quotes that are particularly striking or support the key logics.

Principais Insights Extraídos De

RTL Interconnect Obfuscation By Polymorphic Switch Boxes For Secure Hardware Generation

by Haimanti Cha... às arxiv.org 04-12-2024

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2404.07426.pdf

Perguntas Mais Profundas

How can the security-aware high-level synthesis algorithms be further extended to consider multiple resource types simultaneously and optimize the placement of polymorphic SBs

To extend the security-aware high-level synthesis algorithms to consider multiple resource types simultaneously and optimize the placement of polymorphic Switch Boxes (SBs), a comprehensive approach is required. One way to achieve this is by enhancing the scheduling and allocation algorithms to handle a mix of different resource types efficiently. This can involve developing a weighted scoring system that takes into account the impact of each resource type on the overall security of the design. By assigning weights to different resource types based on their criticality in terms of security vulnerabilities, the algorithms can prioritize the allocation of polymorphic SBs in strategic locations that maximize the corruptibility of output registers upon incorrect key-bit identification. Additionally, incorporating constraints related to area overhead and timing requirements can ensure that the placement of polymorphic SBs is optimized without compromising design constraints.

What other emerging device technologies, beyond polymorphic transistors, could be leveraged for RTL-level obfuscation, and how would the design and integration challenges differ

Beyond polymorphic transistors, several emerging device technologies can be leveraged for RTL-level obfuscation to enhance hardware security. One such technology is Carbon Nanotube Field-Effect Transistors (CNT FETs), which offer unique properties that can be exploited for obfuscation purposes. CNT FETs exhibit excellent electrical properties and can be configured to act as both n-type and p-type transistors, similar to polymorphic transistors. By utilizing CNT FETs in RTL-level designs, designers can introduce additional layers of security through obfuscation and encryption techniques. However, integrating CNT FETs into existing design flows may present challenges related to fabrication processes, compatibility with standard CMOS technology, and scalability issues. Designers would need to address these challenges to effectively incorporate CNT FETs for hardware obfuscation.

Given the increasing complexity of modern hardware designs, how can the proposed RTL obfuscation approach be scaled to handle larger designs while maintaining a reasonable area overhead and resilience against attacks

To scale the proposed RTL obfuscation approach for handling larger designs while maintaining reasonable area overhead and resilience against attacks, several strategies can be implemented. Firstly, leveraging parallel processing and optimization techniques can enhance the efficiency of the obfuscation process for larger designs. By distributing the obfuscation tasks across multiple processing units or cores, designers can expedite the encryption and placement of polymorphic SBs in complex designs. Additionally, implementing hierarchical obfuscation methodologies that divide the design into manageable blocks can facilitate scalability while minimizing area overhead. By strategically partitioning the design and applying obfuscation techniques at different levels of abstraction, designers can effectively manage the complexity of larger designs. Furthermore, continuous refinement of security-aware algorithms and optimization strategies based on feedback from attack simulations and design evaluations can ensure the scalability and robustness of the RTL obfuscation approach for handling modern hardware designs.