Exploiting Imperfect Channel Transmittance in CV-QKD

The threat actor (Eve) can exploit an imperfect channel transmittance model in continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) systems to overestimate the secret key length by biasing parameter estimation through intercept-and-resend attacks, leveraging issues like atmospheric turbulence and background noise.


Literature

[Guo2017] Y. Guo, C. Xie, Q. Liao, W. Zhao, G. Zeng, and D. Huang. "Entanglement-distillation attack on continuous-variable quantum key distribution in a turbulent atmospheric channel" In: Phys. Rev. A 96, 022320. (2017) 10.1103/PhysRevA.96.022320.
[Huang2019b] W. Huang, Y. Mao, C. Xie, and D. Huang. "Quantum hacking of free-space continuous-variable quantum key distribution by using a machine-learning technique" In: Phys. Rev. A 100, 012316. (2019) 10.1103/PhysRevA.100.012316.

QID: A-0100
Tier: T0
Type: Quantum
Tactic: Initial Access
Created: 2024-08-19
Updated: 2024-08-19

Technique → Countermeasures

List of countermeasures applicable to this technique.

Items: 1
Description Countermeasure

Apply proper quantum channel calibration. Especially for free-space channel.