Efficient and Secure Measure-Resend Authenticated Semi-Quantum Key Distribution Protocol against Reflecting Attack

Hung-Wen Wang, Chia-Wei Tsai, Jason Lin, Yu-Yun Huang and Chun-Wei Yang
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Hung-Wen Wang: Master Program for Digital Health Innovation, College of Humanities and Sciences, China Medical University, No. 100, Sec. 1, Jingmao Rd., Beitun District, Taichung 406040, Taiwan
Chia-Wei Tsai: Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, National Taitung University, No. 369, Sec. 2, University Rd., Taitung 95092, Taiwan
Jason Lin: Department of Computer Science and Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, No. 145, Xingda Rd., South District, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
Yu-Yun Huang: Master Program for Digital Health Innovation, College of Humanities and Sciences, China Medical University, No. 100, Sec. 1, Jingmao Rd., Beitun District, Taichung 406040, Taiwan
Chun-Wei Yang: Master Program for Digital Health Innovation, College of Humanities and Sciences, China Medical University, No. 100, Sec. 1, Jingmao Rd., Beitun District, Taichung 406040, Taiwan

Mathematics, 2022, vol. 10, issue 8, 1-19

Abstract: In 2021, Chang et al. proposed an authenticated semi-quantum key-distribution (ASQKD) protocol using single photons and an authenticated channel. However, an eavesdropper can launch a reflective attack to forge the receiver’s identity without being detected. In addition, Chang et al.’s ASQKD protocol assumes an authenticated classical channel between the sender and the receiver. It is considered illogical to have an authenticated channel in the ASQKD protocol. If these security issues are not addressed, the ASQKD protocol will fail to deliver the secret key. Therefore, this study proposes an efficient and secure ASQKD protocol to circumvent these problems using only single photons. Security analysis proves that the proposed ASQKD protocol can effectively avoid reflecting attacks, collective attacks, and other typical attacks. Compared with the existing ASQKD protocols, this study has the following advantages: based on a single photon, it demands less advanced quantum devices, the communication efficiency is higher than most protocols, it reduces the length of the required pre-shared keys, endures reflecting attacks, collective attacks, and there is no need for the classical channel.

Keywords: authentication; measure-resend; quantum cryptography; reflecting attack; semi-quantum key distribution; single photon (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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