Modern processors have been aggressively optimized for performance and energyNEWLINEefficiency. However, recent attacks, such as high-profile Spectre and Meltdown attacks, have shown how vulnerable modern computer hardware is.NEWLINEThis project is to explore various side channel vulnerabilities in modern processors. We are going to study potential security problems in those micro-architecture structures, which have not been fully understood by the community, such as buffers and directories in the memory hierarchy and network-on-chip.NEWLINEThe project will involve reverse engineering commercial processors, developing end-to-end attacks and breaking privacy of modern applications, including crypto libraries and ML applications.

Conducting research at a world-class institution like MIT has always been a goal for me. My interest in low-level systems led me to take Computer Architecture and Secure Hardware Design, both central to my SuperUROP. I aim to learn as much as possible from my UROP team, utilizing the knowledge from my classes to contribute effectively. Above all, I’m thrilled to start hands-on testing with physical hardware and, hopefully, break it.