Subject

Arkworks is a leading software library (written in Rust) for zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs. Protocols for ZK often rely on elliptic curve cryptography (ECC), which is why arkworks implements a vast array of elliptic curve types which can then be implemented for specific curves and used in ZK.

ECC itself is a popular method used for secure communications based on elliptic curves. While there are many implemented fast and secure libraries for very specific curves, it would be useful to have a wide variety of elliptic curve types available easily for cryptographic purposes, in the same package as the ZK system of arkworks.

In this thesis you would investigate constant time ECC algorithms, and edit algorithms in arkworks to be constant time. A further subject could be to detect non-constant time algorithms using side channel methods, and analyse existing Rust libraries which are constant time and compare them to arkworks.

co-promoter: An Braeken
co-supervisors: Robrecht Blancquaert, Tom Godden

Kind of work

• Implementing elliptic curve algorithms
• Hardware or software side-channel analysis of those algorithms
• Evaluation of existing constant time libraries and new implementation
• Performance analysis of various elliptic curve algorithms

Framework of the Thesis

RustIEC project

Expected Student Profile

• Excellent programming skills: some familiarity with the Rust programming language, or ability to learn it quickly

• Hardware skills is a bonus for constant time analysis

• Elliptic curves: basic understanding can be picked up relatively fast without prior knowledge, but the advanced level necessary for this thesis will require dedication to dive into the abstract mathematics