Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Lu, Chao, Telang, Esha, Aysu, Aydin, Basu, Kanad
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
Subjects:
Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2401.01521
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1866909060109959168
author Lu, Chao
Telang, Esha
Aysu, Aydin
Basu, Kanad
author_facet Lu, Chao
Telang, Esha
Aysu, Aydin
Basu, Kanad
contents Quantum computing offers significant acceleration capabilities over its classical counterpart in various application domains. Consequently, there has been substantial focus on improving quantum computing capabilities. However, to date, the security implications of these quantum computing platforms have been largely overlooked. With the emergence of cloud-based quantum computing services, it is critical to investigate the extension of classical computer security threats to the realm of quantum computing. In this study, we investigated timing-based side-channel vulnerabilities within IBM's cloud-based quantum service. The proposed attack effectively subverts the confidentiality of the executed quantum algorithm, using a more realistic threat model compared to existing approaches. Our experimental results, conducted using IBM's quantum cloud service, demonstrate that with just 10 measurements, it is possible to identify the underlying quantum computer that executed the circuit. Moreover, when evaluated using the popular Grover circuit, we showcase the ability to leak the quantum oracle with a mere 500 measurements. These findings underline the pressing need to address timing-based vulnerabilities in quantum computing platforms and advocate for enhanced security measures to safeguard sensitive quantum algorithms and data.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2401_01521
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Quantum Leak: Timing Side-Channel Attacks on Cloud-Based Quantum Services
Lu, Chao
Telang, Esha
Aysu, Aydin
Basu, Kanad
Emerging Technologies
Quantum computing offers significant acceleration capabilities over its classical counterpart in various application domains. Consequently, there has been substantial focus on improving quantum computing capabilities. However, to date, the security implications of these quantum computing platforms have been largely overlooked. With the emergence of cloud-based quantum computing services, it is critical to investigate the extension of classical computer security threats to the realm of quantum computing. In this study, we investigated timing-based side-channel vulnerabilities within IBM's cloud-based quantum service. The proposed attack effectively subverts the confidentiality of the executed quantum algorithm, using a more realistic threat model compared to existing approaches. Our experimental results, conducted using IBM's quantum cloud service, demonstrate that with just 10 measurements, it is possible to identify the underlying quantum computer that executed the circuit. Moreover, when evaluated using the popular Grover circuit, we showcase the ability to leak the quantum oracle with a mere 500 measurements. These findings underline the pressing need to address timing-based vulnerabilities in quantum computing platforms and advocate for enhanced security measures to safeguard sensitive quantum algorithms and data.
title Quantum Leak: Timing Side-Channel Attacks on Cloud-Based Quantum Services
topic Emerging Technologies
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2401.01521