Studying leakages on an embedded biometric system using side channel analysis

  • Maël Berthier
  • , Yves Bocktaels
  • , Julien Bringer
  • , Hervé Chabanne
  • , Taoufik Chouta
  • , Jean Luc Danger
  • , Mélanie Favre
  • , Tarik Graba

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

This paper addresses the potential information leakages of a fingerprint comparison algorithm embedded as a hardware implementation. Such solution aims at comparing a reference fingerprint with a freshly acquired one completely inside an embedded system (e.g. ASIC, smart card, FPGA). The same way as for cryptographic operations within a cryptoprocessor, we consider the reference fingerprint template as a sensitive data that one may try to retrieve by attacking the chip. On one hand, we show that we can find relevant information by the means of Side Channel Analysis (SCA) that may help to retrieve the reference fingerprint. On the other hand, we illustrate that reconstructing the fingerprint remains not trivial and we give some simple countermeasures to protect further the comparison algorithm.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationConstructive Side-Channel Analysis and Secure Design - 5th International Workshop, COSADE 2014, Revised Selected Papers
PublisherSpringer Verlag
Pages281-298
Number of pages18
ISBN (Print)9783319101743
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2014
Event5th International Workshop on Constructive Side-Channel Analysis and Secure Design, COSADE 2014 - Paris, France
Duration: 13 Apr 201415 Apr 2014

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
Volume8622 LNCS
ISSN (Print)0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)1611-3349

Conference

Conference5th International Workshop on Constructive Side-Channel Analysis and Secure Design, COSADE 2014
Country/TerritoryFrance
CityParis
Period13/04/1415/04/14

Keywords

  • Biometric comparison
  • Fingerprint
  • Hardware biometric coprocessor
  • Hill climbing
  • Side channel analysis

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Studying leakages on an embedded biometric system using side channel analysis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this