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Attacking quantum key distribution by light injection via ventilation openings.

Juan Carlos Garcia-Escartin¹, Shihan Sajeed^2,3,4,5, Vadim Makarov^4,6,7,8

¹Dpto. Teoría de la Señal y Comunicaciones e Ing. Telemática, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain.

|August 4, 2020

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Researchers demonstrate a new side-channel attack on quantum cryptography systems. By injecting light into optical devices, attackers can potentially leak secret key information, posing a security risk to quantum key distribution and random number generators.

Area of Science:

Quantum Information Science
Cybersecurity
Applied Physics

Background:

Quantum cryptography offers security based on physical laws, theoretically immune to computational attacks.
Deviations from ideal assumptions in quantum systems can be exploited by attackers.
Side-channel attacks exploit physical leakage rather than algorithmic weaknesses.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate a novel side-channel attack exploiting physical vulnerabilities in quantum devices.
To demonstrate the feasibility of light injection as an attack vector.
To assess the security implications for quantum key distribution (QKD) and quantum random number generators (QRNGs).

Main Methods:

Experimental demonstration of light injection into optical devices via ventilation holes.

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Last Updated: Dec 13, 2025

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Testing the attack on an ID Quantique Clavis2 quantum key distribution platform.

Applying the light injection technique to a prototype quantum random number generator.

Main Results:

Successful light injection demonstrated, potentially leaking secret key information.
The attack was shown to bias the output of a prototype quantum random number generator.
Experimental evidence confirms light injection as a viable threat to quantum information processing devices.

Conclusions:

Light injection represents a significant security risk for quantum information processing systems.
Current quantum device designs may have vulnerabilities that allow for such side-channel attacks.
Addressing light injection vulnerabilities is crucial for the secure development of quantum technologies.