Quantum Trojan Insertion: Controlled Activation for Covert Circuit Manipulation

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel controllable quantum Trojan that can be stealthily embedded in quantum circuits, activated under specific conditions, posing new security challenges for quantum computing systems.

Contribution

It presents a new type of quantum Trojan with controllable activation, demonstrating its feasibility and potential security implications in quantum circuit compilation.

Findings

Controlled Trojans can be embedded with minimal performance impact

Activation conditions can be precisely defined and triggered

Detection of such Trojans remains highly challenging

Abstract

Quantum computing has demonstrated superior efficiency compared to classical computing. Quantum circuits are essential for implementing functions and achieving correct computational outcomes. Quantum circuit compilers, which translate high-level quantum operations into hardware-specific gates while optimizing performance, serve as the interface between the quantum software stack and physical quantum machines. However, untrusted compilers can introduce malicious hardware Trojans into quantum circuits, altering their functionality and leading to incorrect results. In the world of classical computing, effective hardware Trojans are a critical threat to integrated circuits. This process often involves stealthily inserting conditional logic gates that activate under specific input conditions. In this paper, we propose a novel advanced quantum Trojan that is controllable, allowing it to be activated or deactivated under different circumstances. These Trojans remain dormant until triggered by predefined input conditions, making detection challenging. Through a series of benchmark experiments, we demonstrate the feasibility of this method by evaluating the effectiveness of embedding controlled trojans in quantum circuits and measuring their impact on circuit performance and security.