Hardware Side-Channel Security of Quantum System Controllers: A Timing Attack Perspective

Authors

Darpan Basnet, Dakota State UniversityFollow
Anshu Bista, Dakota State UniversityFollow
Varghese Vaidyan, Dakota State UniversityFollow

Files

Description

Quantum computers use classical embedded processors to sequence control pulses. On STM32-class microcontrollers, firmware emits operation classes (gates (X, Y, Z), measurements (MEAS), and timing barriers (WAIT)) at precise intervals. If execution time depends on a secret value, an attacker with a logic analyzer can recover that secret. This classical control plane is a largely overlooked attack surface. This work presents a simulation-based investigation of timing side-channel leakage in quantum-control firmware sequencers.

Publication Date

2026

Recommended Citation

Basnet, Darpan; Bista, Anshu; and Vaidyan, Varghese, "Hardware Side-Channel Security of Quantum System Controllers: A Timing Attack Perspective" (2026). Annual Research Symposium. 72.
https://scholar.dsu.edu/research-symposium/72