Evaluation of the masked logic style MDPL on a prototype chip

Abstract

MDPL has been proposed as a masked logic style that counteracts DPA attacks. Recently, it has been shown that the so-called "early propagation effect" might reduce the security of this logic style significantly. In the light of these findings, a 0.13 μm prototype chip that includes the implementation of an 8051-compatible microcontroller in MDPL has been analyzed. Attacks on the measured power traces of this implementation show a severe DPA leakage. In this paper, the results of a detailed analysis of the reasons for this leakage are presented. Furthermore, a proposal is made on how to improve MDPL with respect to the identified problems. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2007.