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Side Channel Attacks on GPUs
Project Description
GPUs (Graphics Processing Units) are commonly integrated in any computing paradigm, enhancing the performance of systems from gaming to scientific research. Under specific circumstances, the GPU can be shared between applications allowing a spy application to monitor side channels and attempt to infer with potential victims. For example, cross-platform graphical APIs such as Vulkan, OpenGL and WebGL allow an attacker to measure the side-effects of a victim’s GPU computations through performance counters or other measurements. The proposed research topic uses given graphical APIs to track the behaviour of users to fingerprint websites and track user activities on these websites. With the given information an attacker would be able to draw conclusions e.g. on the length of the user’s password.
The respective UROP recipient will be pivotal in shaping the scope of this project and lead the research activities in collaboration with the ISG-SCC team.
Required Technical Skills
ISG-SCC values the enthusiasm and commitment significantly and considers technical skills as an acquirable skill during the internship. However, basic understanding and knowledge of C or C++ development are mandatory, knowledge about OpenGL, WebGL and Vulkan API as well as about Machine Learning algorithms are desirable.
What will you gain during UROP?
During this internship, the objective of the ISG-SCC is to make sure that you develop your independent research and development skills and enhance your skills on a) presenting the project’s progress, b) keeping in line with time management, b) research methods, c) technical writing skills for project outcomes and d) problem identification and solving.
ISG-SCC Track Record
ISG-SCC has successfully run the UROP for the last couple of years. The success of the previous years has produced a patent application (under review by patent office) and commercial demo (MVP) under development, and multiple research papers. Research papers by undergraduate students have won one ‘best student paper award’, featured in a news article on Medium and being pivotal for a World Economic Forum’s project for anti-corruption project. The ethos of ISG-SCC is that undergraduate students have the talent and imagination to sort out unique and innovative solutions. They just need guidance from established researchers, and this is what ISG-SCC will provide during the UROP.