Chapter 4
Hardware Trojans in Microcircuits
This chapter is an overview dedicated to detailed analysis of structures and mechanisms of operation of hardware Trojans in modern microcircuits. The beginning
of the chapter describes theoretical basis of designing safe electronic equipment for
critical applications and the first documented facts of detection of hardware Trojans
in critical microcircuits. The chapter contains detailed overview of the classification
of hardware Trojans in microcircuits, methods for injecting them into microcircuits,
and all basic mechanisms of activation of embedded hardware Trojans. Detailed are
the most effective methods of identification of hardware Trojans in critical microcircuit. Also examined are the examples of development and implementation of specific
types of hardware Trojans. Using specific examples, the features of introduction of
hardware Trojans into passive radio frequency tags and wireless cryptographic ICs
are considered. The final part of the chapter contains a more detailed review of
the basic methods of designing hardware Trojans, as well as overview of the most
effective methods of identification of hardware Trojans in microcircuits.
4.1 Basis of Designing Safe Electronic Equipment
for Critical Applications
4.1.1 Introduction to the Problem
Multi-national distributed and multi-stage structure of the modern chain of production and supply of microcircuits for electronic equipment create a high possibility of
introduction of so-called implants (hardware Trojans) in microcircuits. In previous
chapters, we have examined certain special hazard models and methods of protection
of electronic equipment. In this chapter, we will try to systematize the knowledge
available at the time of publication in the field of designing reliable (safe) microcircuits intended for use in critical systems (military and space technology, banking
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
A. Belous and V. Saladukha, Viruses, Hardware and Software Trojans,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-47218-4_4
277
Hardware Trojans in Microcircuits
This chapter is an overview dedicated to detailed analysis of structures and mechanisms of operation of hardware Trojans in modern microcircuits. The beginning
of the chapter describes theoretical basis of designing safe electronic equipment for
critical applications and the first documented facts of detection of hardware Trojans
in critical microcircuits. The chapter contains detailed overview of the classification
of hardware Trojans in microcircuits, methods for injecting them into microcircuits,
and all basic mechanisms of activation of embedded hardware Trojans. Detailed are
the most effective methods of identification of hardware Trojans in critical microcircuit. Also examined are the examples of development and implementation of specific
types of hardware Trojans. Using specific examples, the features of introduction of
hardware Trojans into passive radio frequency tags and wireless cryptographic ICs
are considered. The final part of the chapter contains a more detailed review of
the basic methods of designing hardware Trojans, as well as overview of the most
effective methods of identification of hardware Trojans in microcircuits.
4.1 Basis of Designing Safe Electronic Equipment
for Critical Applications
4.1.1 Introduction to the Problem
Multi-national distributed and multi-stage structure of the modern chain of production and supply of microcircuits for electronic equipment create a high possibility of
introduction of so-called implants (hardware Trojans) in microcircuits. In previous
chapters, we have examined certain special hazard models and methods of protection
of electronic equipment. In this chapter, we will try to systematize the knowledge
available at the time of publication in the field of designing reliable (safe) microcircuits intended for use in critical systems (military and space technology, banking
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
A. Belous and V. Saladukha, Viruses, Hardware and Software Trojans,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-47218-4_4
277