A security researcher is attempting to extract encryption keys from a smart card by manipulating the voltage supplied to the card during cryptographic operations. What cryptanalytic attack method is the researcher employing?
Side-channel attack
Timing attack
Fault injection
Frequency analysis
The correct answer is fault injection. Fault injection is a type of cryptanalytic attack where an attacker deliberately introduces faults into a cryptographic system, often by manipulating environmental conditions such as voltage, clock signals, or temperature. The researcher in this scenario is specifically using power manipulation (varying voltage) to cause the smart card to malfunction in a way that might reveal sensitive information like encryption keys.
This differs from side-channel attacks, which passively observe physical emanations without introducing faults. Timing attacks focus on measuring execution times of operations rather than manipulating hardware conditions. Frequency analysis examines ciphertext patterns and doesn't involve hardware manipulation at all.
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