Side-channel attacks exploit unintended information leakage such as power usage patterns or execution timing to infer sensitive data or cryptographic keys. Unlike conventional attacks that target software flaws, side-channel testing evaluates how an application or device’s physical and runtime characteristics can betray secrets.
Tests Performed in Side-Channel Security Assessments
Power-Consuming Attack Analysis
We instrument devices to monitor power consumption at fine granularity while the application performs cryptographic operations or sensitive logic. By correlating fluctuations in current draw with specific code paths or key-handling routines, we detect vulnerabilities to Differential Power Analysis (DPA) and Simple Power Analysis (SPA). This test helps you pinpoint where secret keys or proprietary algorithms might be exposed through characteristic power signatures.
Time-Based Attack Testing
We measure execution times of critical functions such as encryption/decryption loops, authentication checks, or API response handlers under both normal and manipulated inputs. Tiny variations in processing latency can reveal internal branch decisions or secret-dependent computations. Our timing-attack assessments (including Cache Timing and Branch Prediction attacks) verify that your code implements constant-time algorithms and doesn’t leak sensitive information through observable delays.