Method for protecting a terminal against a side-channel attack

EP4630952A1Pending Publication Date: 2025-10-15BANKS & ACQUIRERS INT HLDG SAS
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Patent Information

Application Number
EP2023820824
Authority / Receiving Office
EP · EP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2022-12-06
Filing Date
2023-12-05
Publication Date
2025-10-15

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Side-channel attacks, particularly those exploiting battery state data, pose a significant threat to mobile terminals as they can reveal sensitive information like authentication codes by analyzing power consumption patterns, which are increasingly difficult to distinguish due to improved energy efficiency and intelligent battery management systems.

Method used

The method involves controlling energy-consuming components, such as vibrators, to modify battery state data, simulating target processes, and implementing response measures like software blocking of battery status data to prevent attacks. This includes activating or deactivating components unpredictably during code entry and using decoy codes to detect and neutralize potential attacks.

Benefits of technology

This approach effectively disrupts side-channel attacks by scrambling battery state data, making it unusable for attackers and enhancing security without significantly impacting user experience or battery life, thereby protecting sensitive information.

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for protecting a terminal (1) comprising data-processing means (11), a battery (15) and a battery gauge (16) providing the data processing means (11) with data which are descriptive of the state of the battery (15) against a side-channel attack using the data which are descriptive of the state of the battery (15), the method being characterised in that it comprises the implementation, by means of the data processing means (11), of steps of: (b) when the terminal (1) is likely to undergo the attack, controlling at least one energy-intensive component (11, 12, 13, 14) of the terminal (1) so as to modify the data which are descriptive of the state of the battery (15) and are provided by the battery gauge (16).
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