AIDRC Seminar Series - Prof. Francesco Gringoli

May 11, 2022
AIDRC Seminar Series - Prof. Francesco Gringoli
Gringoli Giuseppe

Prof. Francesco Gringoli

University of Brescia

 

11th May 2022, 5:00pm - 6:00pm (GST)

 

Title:

Deep Generative Modeling is a key to unlocking AI potential

Abstract:

Modern mobile devices embed multiple wireless interfaces, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and LTE. To meet size and cost constraints, the underlying chipsets usually share components, e.g., they are connected to the same antenna. In addition, they can access the same spectrum bands for their transmissions. Wireless coexistence mechanisms are hence fundamental for avoiding internal collisions and for maximizing networking performance. Today’s hardwired coexistence interfaces hinder clear security boundaries and separation between chips and components. We show in this talk practical coexistence attacks on Broadcom and Cypress chips deployed in billions of devices. For example, we demonstrate that a Wi-Fi chip can measure keypress timings of Bluetooth keyboards and Bluetooth chip can manipulate Wi-Fi traffic. Coexistence attacks enable a novel type of lateral privilege escalation across chip boundaries: we responsibly disclosed the vulnerabilities to the vendors. However, only partial fixes were released for existing hardware. The main takeaway message is that wireless chips would need to be redesigned from the ground up to prevent the presented attacks on coexistence.

Bio:

Prof. Dr.Ing. Francesco Gringoli received the Laurea Degree in Telecommunication Engineering with honours from the University of Padova in 1998 and the Ph.D. in Information Engineering from the University of Brescia in 2002. In 2005 he joined the University of Brescia as Assistant Professor and since May 1 2021 he is Full Professor in Telecommunications. Francesco Gringoli is Senior Member of IEEE and he co-authored more than 110 papers published in international journals or in proceedings of international conferences, and he is inventor of several international patents.