Authenticated semi-quantum key distribution without entanglement

Abstract

One important challenge of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is to preserve the unconditional security when a scheme is implemented. In Semi Quantum Key Distribution (SQKD), one of the parties is only able of performing classical operations, thus, alleviating the cost of its implementation. Authenticated SQKD (ASQKD) ensures, in addition, better security than SQKD against attacks aiming at the identity of the parties. In this regard, Li et al.have proposed a new ASQKD scheme that ensures better efficiency than the first proposed ASQKD scheme of Yu et al. However, both schemes present loopholes in their security. This study presents a new ASQKD without using entanglement, able to achieve higher security than the schemes of Li et al.and Yu et al. Our scheme is also simpler and demands less advanced quantum devices than ASQKD schemes using entanglement.

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

“…ASQKD protocols involve authenticating communicators without using an authenticated classical channel [45][46][47][48][49]…”

“…Alice then restores the qubit from Bob to perform Bell measurement, which requires the quantum storage to store the first qubit of Bell states and the hardware to perform the Bell measurement. Moreover, generating a pair of Bell states increases the [45,46,48,50] and the proposed ASQKD protocol. In the schemes of Yu et al [45] and Li et al [46], Alice shares the second qubit of Bell states to Bob.…”

“…In share mode, Bob measures the second qubit in the Bell state and generates n + m single photons. Therefore, the communication efficiency is Compared with Yu et al [45], Li et al [46], and Zebboudj et al [48], the proposed ASQKD protocol not only reduces the length of required pre-shared keys but also possesses an advantage in communication efficiency and applies the secret hash to strengthen the security. Compared with Chang et al [50], although the communication efficiency of the proposed protocol is slightly lower, the proposed ASQKD protocol is not vulnerable to the reflecting attack and removes the need for the classical channel, elevating security and convenience.…”

“…In 2016, Meslouhi and Hassouni [47] pointed out a vulnerability that allows an eavesdropper to recover a partial master key and launch a successful man-in-the-middle attack on Yu et al's ASQKD protocols [45] and Li et al's ASQKD protocols [46]. In 2020, Zebboudj et al [48] presented a new ASQKD protocol without any entanglement. Zebboudj et al's ASQKD protocol can achieve higher security than the existing schemes.…”

“…ASQKD protocols perform authentication when an authenticated classical channel is unavailable. In other words, research on ASQKD protocols [45][46][47][48][49] assumes that the classical channel is a public classical channel (i.e., it can be modified).…”