Publication detail

Clock-Skew-Based Computer Identification: Traps and Pitfalls

POLČÁK, L. FRANKOVÁ, B.

Original Title

Clock-Skew-Based Computer Identification: Traps and Pitfalls

Type

journal article in Web of Science

Language

English

Original Abstract

Each clock has built-in deficiencies since the manufacturing process is not precise on atomic level. These inaccuracies cause each clock to drift in a unique way. Clock skew has been already studied and used to identify computers. Based on the previous research in clock-skew-based identification, this paper provides a summary of use cases and methods for clock-skew-based identification. Nevertheless, the main contribution of the paper is following: (1) A formal evaluation of the requirements for precise clock skew estimations. The formal approach is accompanied with an empirical study of 24,071 clock skew measurements. (2) A method that links IPv4 and IPv6 addresses of a single computer. (3) A scenario, during which a  malicious attacker mimics clock skew of another computer and consequently, for example, penetrates through authentication mechanisms considered during previous research. (4) Even though the real network observations expose that current precision in clock skew estimation is not sufficient to uniquely identify devices in moderately-sized network, some IPv4 and IPv6 addresses can be linked based on unique clock skew shifts of a  computer, for example caused by a running NTP daemon.

Keywords

IPv6, clock skew, counter-measures, device fingerprinting, security

Authors

POLČÁK, L.; FRANKOVÁ, B.

RIV year

2015

Released

1. 9. 2015

ISBN

0948-6968

Periodical

Journal of Universal Computer Science

Year of study

21

Number

9

State

Republic of Austria

Pages from

1210

Pages to

1233

Pages count

24

URL

http://www.jucs.org/jucs_21_9/clock_skew_based_computer

BibTex

@article{BUT119791,
  author="Libor {Polčák} and Barbora {Franková}",
  title="Clock-Skew-Based Computer Identification: Traps and Pitfalls",
  journal="Journal of Universal Computer Science",
  year="2015",
  volume="21",
  number="9",
  pages="1210--1233",
  issn="0948-6968",
  url="http://www.jucs.org/jucs_21_9/clock_skew_based_computer"
}