Smart Cards

By
Sravanthi Karumanchi

Introduction
The semiconductor revolution has advanced to the

point where the computing power that once took

up an entire room can now me lost among the
spare change, house keys or candy wrappers in the
average pocket.
Smart cards have proven to be quite useful as a
transaction/authorization/identification medium.
As their capabilities grow, they could become the
ultimate thin client, eventually replacing all of the
things we carry around in our wallets, including
credit cards, licenses, cash, and even family
photographs.

History
The roots of the current day smart card can be

traced back to the US in the early 1950s when

Diners Club produced the first all-plastic card to
be used for payment applications.
VISA and MasterCard then entered the market, but
eventually the cost pressures of fraud, tampering,
merchant handling, and bank charges made a
machine-readable card necessary

What is a Smart card?

A smart card is a credit card sized plastic

card with an embedded computer chip.

The chip can either be a microprocessor
with internal memory or a memory chip
with non-programmable logic.
They can be programmed to accept, store
and send data.

Need for a smart card

An advanced security system is worthless if it is

so inconvenient for the users that they always find

a way around it. For example, many users have so
many passwords to remember today that they
often write them down in easily accessible places
or choose simple easily guessed passwords. Smart
cards can easily store large passwords.
Being a computer in itself, smart cards can also
perform advanced security functions like storage
of cryptographic keys and ability to perform
cryptographic algorithms.

Need for a smart card

Smart cards provide tamper-resistant storage for

protecting sensitive information like private keys,

account numbers, passwords, and other forms of
personal information.
They can isolate security-critical computations that
involve authentication, key exchange and digital
signatures from other parts of the system that do not
have a "need to know". Since computations can be
done in the card itself, the keys need not exist
anywhere other than the card itself. This prevents
malicious sniffing programs from getting hold of the
key.

Need for a smart card

They provide a level of portability to

securely move information from one system

to another.
They can run custom code and thus are
programmable.

Smart card
Difference between smart cards and

magnetic smart card

Magnetic stripe card does not have a chip

embedded in them
A smart card carries more information than can
be accommodated on a magnetic stripe card. It
can make a decision, as it has relatively
powerful processing capabilities that allow it to
do more than a magnetic stripe card (e.g., data
encryption).

Electronic Module
The information or application stored in the

IC chip is transferred through an electronic

module that interconnects with a terminal or
a smart card reader.

Physical structure
The International Standards Organization

( ISO) 7810, 7816/1, 7816/2 specifies the

physical structure of the smart card.
A printed circuit and an integrated chip are
embedded on the card

Physical Structure
An integrated circuit chip consists of a

Microprocessor
Read only memory (ROM)
Nonstatic random access memory (RAM)
Electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM),
which will retain its state when the power is removed.
Programmable read only memory (PROM)
Erasable programmable ROM (EPROM)

The current circuit chip is made from silicon, which is not

flexible and particularly easy to break. Therefore, in order to

avoid breakage when the card is bent, the chip is restricted to
only a few millimeters in size.
This also limits the memory and processing resources that may
be placed on the card. As a result, the smart card always has to
incorporate with other external peripherals to operate.

Smart card architecture

elements
Central Processing Unit

Traditionally there is a 8 bit controller, but nowadays 16 bit and 32

bit chips are also used.
Smart Card CPUs execute machine instructions at a speed of
approximately 1 MIPS. A coprocessor is often included to improve
the speed of encryption computations.
Memory System
RAM. 1K. This is needed for fast computation and response. Only a
tiny amount is available.
EEPROM (Electrically Erasable PROM). Between 1 to 24K. Unlike
RAM, its contents are not lost when power is. Applications can run
off and write to it, but it is very slow and one can only read/write to it
so many (100 000) times.
ROM. Between 8 to 24K. The Operating System and other basic
software like encryption algorithms are stored here.

Smart card architecture

elements
Input /Output

This is via a single I/O port that is controlled by the processor to

ensure that communications are standardized, in the form of
APDUs (A Protocol Data Unit).
Interface Devices(IFDs)
Smart Cards need power and a clock signal to run programs, but
carry neither. Instead, these are supplied by the Interface Device usually a Smart Card Reader - in contact with the card.
In addition to providing the power and clock signals, the reader is
responsible for opening a communication channel between
application software on the computer and the operating system on
the card
The communication channel to a Smart Card is half-duplex.

Smart card architecture

elements
Interface Devices

The receiver is required to sample the signal on the serial line at

the same rate as the transmitter sends it in order for the correct
data to be received. This rate is known as the bit rate or baud rate.
Data received by and transmitted from a Smart Card is stored in a
buffer in the Smart Card's RAM. As there isn't very much RAM,
relatively small packets (10 - 100 bytes) of data are moved in each
message.

Smart Card Dimensions

Two physical dimensions are specified for smart cards.

The most popular form is approximately the size of a

credit card. Small enough to be conveniently portable, the
card is large enough to display graphics and advertising on
its side. The second, smaller smart card size, specified by
the European Telecommunications Standards Institute
(ETSI), is used specifically for Global System for Mobile
Communications (GSM) phones, the predominant cellular
phone technology system in Europe.

How does a smart card work?

All smart cards have essentially the same physical

interface to the outside world, the smart card

reader. To use a smart card, an end user simply
inserts it into a read / write device where it
remains for the duration of a session or
transaction.
The user provides a PIN or password as they
would at an ATM machine providing the added
protection of two-factor authentication.

How does a smart card work?

While still in the reader, the card interacts with

security software on the local machine and the

network as needed. It confines certain operations,
such as those involving a users private key, to
the card itself. That means the private key and
any digital certificates never leave the card. All
computations involving them happen internally
and securely so only the cardholder can access
the private key.
When a session or workday is over, the user
removes the card and keeps it in a safe place.
Without the card, unauthorized individuals cant
hack into protected resources.

How is authentication done

1.
2.
3.
4.

5.
6.
7.

Insert the smart card into a reader. The smart card contains the
cryptographic keys and biometric fingerprint data.
Enter PIN (or password), in order to unlock the digital representation of
the fingerprint. In the trade, this is known as the minutia data.
Place the finger on the scanner. The scanned fingerprint is compared to
the fingerprint data on the smart card.
If the data matches, the smart-card fingerprint data is converted into a
number and combined with the smart-card secret PIN (retrieved in Step
2) and used as a symmetric cryptographic key to decrypt the private key.
A nonce (random number) is passed from the computer application to
the smart card.
The private key on the smart card is used to encrypt the nonce and pass
it back to the application.
The application verifies that a certified public key obtained from the
network-based directory service or from the card does, in fact, decrypt
the encrypted message from the card and reveal the same nonce that was
originally passed to the card.

Smart card Variations

Contact Smart Cards

Contact smart cards must be inserted into a

smart card reader device where pins

attached to the reader make contact with
pads on the surface of the card to read and
store information in the chip.

Contactless Smart Cards

Contactless smart cards contain an embedded

antenna instead of contact pads attached to the chip

for reading and writing information contained in
the chip's memory.
Contactless cards do not have to be inserted a smart
card reader. Instead, they need only be passed
within range of a radio frequency acceptor to read
and store information in the chip.
These cards have an antenna embedded inside the
microchip that allow the card to communicate with
an antenna coupler unit without physical contact.

Contactless Smart Cards

The range of operation is typically from

about 2.5" to 3.9" (63.5mm to 99.06mm)

depending on the acceptor.
Student identification, electronic passport,
vending, parking and tolls are common
applications for contactless cards.

Proximity Cards
Proximity cards or simply prox cards

communicate through an antenna similar to

contactless smart cards except that they are readonly devices that generally have a greater range of
operation.
The range of operation for prox cards is typically
from 2.5" to 20" (63.5mm to 508mm)
They are growing in popularity because of the
convenience they offer markets such as walkthrough access terminals in mass transportation,
security, identification, and access control

Proximity Cards
Prox cards are available from several sources in

both ISO thickness cards from .027" to .033" and

clamshell cards from .060" to over .070" thick
They are used in security, identification, and
access control applications, especially door access
where fast, hands-free operation is preferred.

Hybrid Card
There will be some period of time in which there

will be some magnetic stripe-only cards, some

chip-only cards, and many cards that will carry
both a chip and a magnetic stripe as seen by the
recent release of the America Express Blue card. A
hybrid infrastructure is expected to accommodate
the transition.
A Hybrid card has two chips, each with its
respective contact and contactless interface. The
two chips are not connected, but for many
applications, this Hybrid serves the needs of
consumers and card issuers.

Hybrid Card
Hybrid card is the term given to e-cards that

contain two or more embedded chip technologies

such as a contactless smart chip with its antenna, a
contact smart chip with its contact pads, and/or a
proximity chip with its antenna all in a single card.

Combi Card
The combi card also known as a dual-

interface card i.e., with a contact and

contactless interface.
It has one smart chip embedded in the card
that can be accessed through either contact
pads or an embedded antenna. It is now
possible to access the same chip via a
contact or contactless interface, with a very
high level of security.

Combi Card
In the mass transit application, a contact-

type acceptor can be used to place a cash

value in the chip's memory and the
contactless interface can be used to deduct a
fare from the card.

Difference between a Hybrid

and a Combi card
The main difference between a combi card

and a hybrid card is that a combi card has

only one chip and a hybrid card has two
chips.

Cryptographic Smart cards

Cryptographic cards or crypto cards are high-end

microprocessor memory cards with additional

support for cryptographic operations (digital
signatures and encryption)
Crypto cards are designed to allow secure storage
of private keys (or other secret keys).
These cards will also perform the actual
cryptographic functions on the smart card itself. In
this way, the private key need never leave the
smart card.

Cryptographic Smart cards

Since the EEPROM of these cards is

designed to be tamper-resistant,
unauthorized individuals are unable to hack
the card secrets its virtually hackerresistant. As a result, crypto cards play an
essential part of any public/private key
system

Vault Smart Cards

These cards are activated upon user entry of a PIN

(personal identification number) directly on the card.

The card self verifies the PIN, and then activates the smart
module. The card is then handed to the merchant to
complete the transaction.
After a transaction is completed, the card automatically
returns to an inactive state and cannot be used again
without reactivation PIN input.
Entry and verification process is fast, simple, and secure.
Card self-verification eliminates the need for an external
PIN database and also eliminates transmission of a PIN,
reducing the chance of interception and misuse.

Memory and Microprocessor

Chips
The chips used in all the cards mentioned

above fall into three categories:

microprocessor chips
memory chips.
Optical memory cards

Memory Chip
A memory chip can be viewed as small floppy

disks with optional security

Memory cards can hold from 103 bits to 16,000
bits of data, but have no processor on the card
with which to manipulate that data.
They are less expensive than microprocessor
cards but with a corresponding decrease in data
management security.
They are used for storage and retrieval only.

Memory Chip
They depend on the security of the smart

card reader for their processing and are

ideal when security requirements permit use
of cards with low to medium security.
Smart-card memory chips are used for data
storage and identification applications.

Classification of memory cards

Memory chips are of three kinds

Straight memory cards: These cards just store data and

have no data processing capabilities. They should be regarded as
floppy disks of varying sizes without the lock mechanism.

Protected/Segmented memory cards: These cards have

built-in logic to control the access to the memory of the card.
Sometimes referred to as intelligent memory cards these devices
can be set to write protect some or the entire memory array. Some
of these cards can be configured to restrict access to both reading
and writing. This is usually done through a password or system
key. Segmented memory cards can be divided into logical sections
for planned multi-functionality.

Classification of memory cards

Stored value memory cards:

These cards are designed

for the specific purpose of storing value or tokens. The cards are either
disposable or rechargeable. Most cards of this type incorporate
permanent security measures at the point of manufacture. These
measures can include password keys and logic that are hard-coded into
the chip by the manufacturer. For simple applications such as a
telephone card the chip has 60 or 12 memory cells, one for each
telephone unit. A memory cell is cleared each time a telephone unit is
used. Once all the memory units are used, the card becomes useless
and is thrown away. This process can be reversed in the case of
rechargeable cards.

Microprocessor Chips
Microprocessor cards (also generally referred to by

the industry as chip cards) offer greater memory

storage and security of data.
Chips that contain both memory and a
microprocessor are also similar to a small floppy
disk, except they contain an intelligent controller
used to securely add, delete, change, and update
information contained in memory.
The more sophisticated microprocessor chips have
state-of-the-art security features built in to protect
the contents of memory from unauthorized access.

Microprocessor Chips
A microprocessor chip can add, delete and otherwise

manipulate information in its memory. It can be viewed as

a miniature computer with an input/output port, operating
system and hard disk.
Microprocessor chips are available 8, 16, and 32 bit
architectures. Their data storage capacity ranges from 300
bytes to 32,000 bytes with larger sizes expected with
semiconductor technology advances.
The current generation of chip cards has an eight-bit
processor, 16KB read-only memory, and 512 bytes of
random-access memory. This gives them the equivalent
processing power of the original IBM-XT computer, albeit
with slightly less memory capacity.

Optical Memory Cards

Optical memory cards look like a card with a piece

of a CD glued on top, which is basically what they

are.
Optical memory cards can store up to 4 MB of
data.
These cards can carry many megabytes of data,
but the cards can only be written once and never
erased with todays technology.
Thus, this type of card is ideal for record keeping
for example medical files, driving records, or
travel histories.

Multi-application Smart Card

Since the microprocessor cards have a reasonable amount

of memory, one can have multiple applications residing in

the card at the same time.
Multifunction smart cards allocate card memory into
independent sections assigned to a specific function or
application.
Within the card is a microprocessor or microcontroller chip
that manages this memory allocation and file access.
This type of chip is similar to those found inside all
personal computers and when implanted in a smart card,
manages data in organized file structures, via a card
operating system (COS).

Multi-application Smart Card

The technology permits information updates

without replacement of the installed base of cards,

greatly simplifying program changes and reducing
costs.

Multi-application Smart Card

A student uses the card as a basic ID, to check out books

from the library, and to decrement value for the meal plan
and campus vending machines. The student might also use
it for secure access to certain buildings and to the
universitys computer system.
The figure shows a overview of uses of multi-application
smart card

Chip Operating System

The smart cards chip operating system, is a sequence of

instructions, permanently embedded in the ROM of the

smart card.
The functional characteristics of the smart card are
determined by its operating system
The operating system receives outside commands and
executes them provided that certain processing conditions
are met.

Chip Operating System

The baseline functions of the COS which are common

across all smart card products include:

Management of interchanges between the card and the outside

world, primarily in terms of the interchange protocol
Management of the files and data held in memory
Access control to information and functions (for example, select
file, read, write, and update data.)
Management of card security and cryptographic algorithm
procedures.
Maintaining reliability, particularly in terms of data consistency,
sequence interrupts, and recovering from an error.
Management of various phases of the cards life cycle (that is,
microchip fabrication, personalization, active life, and end of life)

Communication Protocol
Smart cards speak to the outside world using data packages

called APDU( application protocol data units)

APDU contains either command or response message
Smart card always waits for command APDU from a
terminal. It plays a passive role
It then executes the action specified and replies to the
terminal using a response APDU.

A Smart card transaction

The steps in a typical smart card transaction are set

out below:

Step 1: Connection
In a smart card system for contact cards, the card is
inserted in a reader device. Contactless cards need only
be passed near a target.
Step 2: Authentication of the card
The card generates a message to the reader, which
confirms that it is a valid card. The message may be
encrypted for security purposes. The reader can also
check the card against a list of stolen cards and if
necessary lock it so that it can no longer be used.

A Smart card transaction

Step 3: Authentication of the reader
The reader sends a message to the card, which is checked
against pre-programmed codes to establish if the reader is
valid. If the card is not satisfied that the reader is valid, it
can prevent the reader gaining access to the information
held on the card.
Step 4: Selecting an application
A single smart card may support many different
applications, which may be inter-related or quite distinct.
The desired application can be selected by the cardholder,
by a person with access to the reader, or chosen
automatically by the reader or the card depending on the
form of the initial authentication.

A Smart card transaction

Step 5: Identifying security requirements
The card is able to define the security requirements for the
selected application. The card can enforce different levels
of security for different purposes or for different persons
or organizations.
Step 6: Authenticating the card-holder
This can be done by either requiring the cardholder to
enter a PIN (personal identification number) or some sort
of biometric information (for example; fingerprints, retina
scan or signature dynamics). The card keeps the relevant
information to make a comparison in a secret area. It can
make the comparison without divulging to the cardholder
the data it holds for the authentication procedure.

A Smart card transaction

Step 7: The transaction
The transaction is generated by manual entry or by an
automated process. The card or reader checks and authorizes
the transaction.
Step 8: Transaction record
The card generates a record of the transaction and transmits it
electronically to the reader. The record may be used in another
part of the system (for example; to allow the service provider
to collect actual payment from a bank in a stored value
application); by a third party to the transaction for other
purposes (for example; collecting statistics); or as back up
data storage in case the card is lost or damaged.
Step 9: Hard copy
A paper record (such as a receipt) can be generated by the
reader for the cardholder or the service provider.

Life cycle of a smart card

There are five phases for a typical smart card life

cycle
Fabrication Phase: The chip manufacturers carry out
this phase. The silicon integrated circuit chip is created
and tested in this phase. A fabrication key (KF) is added
to protect the chip from fraudulent modification until it
is assembled into the plastic card support. The KF of
each chip is unique and is derived from a master
manufacturer key. Other fabrication data will be written
to the circuit chip at the end of this phase. Then the
chip is ready to deliver to the card manufacturer with
the protection of the key KF.

Life cycle of a smart card

Pre-personalization Phase: The card suppliers carry
out this phase. In this phase, the chip will be mounted
on the plastic card. The connection between the chip
and the printed circuit will be made, and the whole unit
can be tested. To allow secure delivery and for added
security of the card to the card issuer, the fabrication
key will be replaced by a personalization key (KP).
After that, a personalization lock VPER will be written to
prevent further modification of the KP. In addition,
physical memory access instructions will be disabled.
Access of the card can be achieved only by using
logical memory addressing. This preserves the system
and fabrication areas being accessed or modified.

Life cycle of a smart card

Personalization Phase: The card issuers conduct this
phase. It completes the creation of logical data
structures. Data files contents and application data are
written to the card. Information of cardholder identity,
PIN, and unblocking PIN will be stored as well. At the
end, a utilization lock VUTIL will be written to indicate
the card is in the utilization phase.
Utilization Phase: This is the phase for the normal use
of the card by the cardholder. The application system,
logical file access controls, and others are activated.
Access of information on the card will be limited by the
security policies set by the application.

Life cycle of a smart card

End-of-Life Phase (Invalidation Phase): There are
two ways to move the card into this phase. One is
initiated by the application, which writes the
invalidation lock to an individual file or the master file.
All the operations including writing and updating will
be disabled by the operating system. Only read
instructions may remain active for analysis purposes.
Another way to put the card into this phase is that,
when the control system irreversibly blocks access
because both the PIN and unblocking PIN are blocked,
then all the operations will be blocked including reads.

Logical File Structure

Files are organized in hierarchical form
There is one master file (MF), which is like the root

directory. Under the root, there can be different files,

which are called elementary files (EFs). There can be
various subdirectories called dedicated files (DFs). Under
each subdirectory will be elementary files again. The root
or MF is the peak of the hierarchy and it contains
information and locations of files contained within it.
Dedicated Files (DF) contains the actual data files.
The elementary file is where the actual data is stored

Logical File Structure

After the success of selection, the header of the file can be

retrieved, which stores the information about the file such

as identification number, description, types, size, and so
on. Particularly, it stores the attribute of the file, which
states the access conditions and current status. Access of
the data in the file depends on whether those conditions
can be fulfilled or not.
In order to provide greater security control, adding
accessing conditions and file status fields in the file header
enhances the attribute of each file.
Moreover, file lock is also provided to prevent the file
being accessed. These security mechanisms and algorithms
provide a logical protection of the smart card.

Access Control
The smart card access control system covers file access mainly.

Each file is attached by a header, which indicates the access

conditions or requirements of the file and the current status as
well.
Levels of Access Conditions
Always (ALW): Access of the file can be performed
without any restriction.
Cardholder verification 1 (CHV1): Access can only be
possible when valid CHV1 value is presented.
Cardholder verification 2 (CHV2): Access can only be
possible when valid CHV2 value is presented.
Administrative (ADM): Allocation of these levels and the
respective requirements for their fulfillment are the
responsibility of the appropriate administrative authority.
Never (NEV): Access of the file is forbidden.

Access Control
Two counters have to be implemented for each of the

cardholder verification numbers (CHVs), There are three

states in the management of the PIN, which are described
below.
PIN has been presented: Files or functions, which have PIN presentation as
a pre-requisite or condition, can be carried out. Every time the PIN is
presented correctly, the PIN counter will be reset to the maximum number
of tries, three for example.
PIN has not been presented or was presented incorrectly: The PIN counter
will be decremented by one after each incorrect PIN was presented. All the
operations or instructions, which require PIN presentation, will be
invalidated. If the PIN counter reaches zero, then the PIN will be blocked.
PIN is blocked: In this state, all the operations require PIN presentation
and even the PIN presentation instruction itself is blocked. Unblock PIN
instruction has to be carried out. If correct unblocking PIN is presented,
the PIN counter will be reset to the maximum number of tries and backed
to the first state. However, if invalid unblocking PIN is presented, the
unblock PIN counter will be decremented by one and when this counter
reaches zero, the PIN can never be unblocked again.

Smart card Standards

International Standards Organization
American National Standards Institute
International Airline and Transportation

Association.

It has formed a task force to develop interoperability standards for

smart card ticketless travel.

G-8 Health Standards

The G-8 countries have come together to develop a standard format
for populating data on a health card.

GSM Standards
The specifications tie a telephone number to smart card, called a
Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) or User Identity Module
(UIM), rather than to a telephone handset. The SIM is inserted into
a telephone to activate it.

Smart card Standards

EMV Specifications

The EMV specification resolves the problem of disparate chip card

systems across the European continent, thereby eliminating a major
impediment to the widespread, cost effective implementation of a global
credit and debit card system.
PC/SC Workgroup Open Specifications
This group has developed open specifications for integrating smart
cards with personal computers.
OpenCard Framework
The OpenCard Framework is a set of guidelines announced by IBM,
Netscape, NCI, and Sun Microsystems Inc. for integrating smart cards
with network computers.
Secure Electronic Transactions (SET).
Secure Electronic Transactions (SET) is a protocol for secure payments
across the Internet. Announced in 1996 by VISA and MasterCard, SET
establishes a single technical protocol for protecting payment card
purchases made over the Internet and other open networks. It is based
on public key encryption and authentication technology.

ISO
ISO 7816-1:Physical characteristics
ISO 7816-2:Dimensions and location of the

contacts
ISO 7816-3:Electronic signals and transmission
protocols
ISO 7816-4:Industry commands for
interchange
ISO 7816-5: Number system and registration
procedure for application identifiers
ISO 7816-6: Interindustry data elements

Security related standards

PKCS#11:Cryptographic Token Interface Standard:

This standard specifies an Application Programming

Interface (API), called Cryptoki, to devices which hold
cryptographic information and perform cryptographic
functions.
PKCS#15: Cryptographic token information format
standard: PKCS#15 is intended to standardize the use of
cryptographic tokens to identify themselves to multiple,
standard-aware applications regardless of the applications
cryptographic token interface provider. The key issue in
such cases is the interoperability.

Security related standards

JavaCard: The JavaCard API is a specification that enables

the Write Once, Run Anywhere capabilities of Java on smart

cards and other devices with limited memory.
Common Data Security Architecture: Developed by Intel,
the Common Data Security Architecture (CDSA) provides an
open, interoperable, extensible, and cross-platform software
framework that makes computer platforms more secure for
all applications including electronic commerce,
communications, and digital content.
Microsoft Cryptographic API: The Microsoft
Cryptographic API (CryptoAPI) provides services that
enable application developers to add cryptography and
certificate management functionality to their Win32
applications.

Principles of security standards

Multi-platform
Standard should be applicable to numerous modern day operating systems
and computer architectures
Open participation
Standard should accept input and peer review from members of industry,
academia, and government
Interoperability
Standard should be interoperable with other leading standards and protocols.
Real, Functional
Standard should apply to real world problems and markets and adequately
address their requirements.
Experience, Products
Standard should be created by a group of people with experience in securityrelated products and standards.
Extensibility
Standard should facilitate expansion to new applications, protocols, and smart
card capabilities that werent yet around when the standard was created.

Attack Technologies
Attacks on smart cards are as follows
Invasive attacks
Noninvasive attacks
Physical attacks
Logical attacks
Trojan Horse attacks
Social Engineering attacks

Invasive attacks
Microprobing techniques are usually used to

access the chip surface directly, thus facilitating

the observation and manipulation of the integrated
circuit of the smart card.
Depackaging: Invasive attacks start with the
removal of the chip package. The card plastic is
heated until it becomes flexible. This softens
the glue and the chip module can then be
removed easily by bending the card.
Layout reconstruction: The next step is to
reconstruct the layout of the new processor

Invasive attacks
Manual microprobing: Its major component is
a special optical microscope
Memory read out techniques: It is usually not
a practice to read out data from processor
directly. Microprobing is used to observe the
entire bus and record the values in the memory
as they are accessed.

Non-Invasive attacks
The attacked card is not physically harmed and the

equipment used in the attack are usually disguised as smart

card readers
Software attacks: use the normal communication interface of the
processor and exploit security vulnerabilities found in the
protocols, cryptographic algorithms, or their implementations
Fault generation attacks: use abnormal environmental conditions
to generate malfunctions in the processor that provide additional
access.
Glitch attacks: In a glitch attack, a malfunction is deliberately
generated, which causes one or more flip-flops to adopt the wrong
state.
Eavesdropping Attacks: These attacks take advantage of the
analog characteristics of all supply and interface connections and
any other electromagnetic radiation produced by the smart card
processor during normal operation.

Physical attacks
Physical attacks attempt to reverse engineering the

card and determine the secret keys

This involves techniques like

Peeling off the LSI chip

Analysis using operational test circuits
Analysis using low-frequency clocks
Introduce computational errors into the smart card can
deduce the value of the cryptographic keys
Voltage manipulation, temperature manipulation
DPA(Differential Power Analysis) is a complicated attack
that relies on statistical references drawn from power
consumption data measured during smart card computation

Logical attacks
Logical attacks occur when a smart card is

operating under normal physical conditions, but

sensitive information is gained by examining the
bytes going to and from the smart card.
In this attack, various byte patterns are sent to the
card to be signed by the private key. Information
such as the time required performing the operation
and the number of zeroes and ones in the input
bytes are used to eventually obtain the private key.

Trojan horse attacks

Trojan horse attacks: This attack involves a rogue,

Trojan horse application that has been planted on

an unsuspecting users workstation. The Trojan
horse waits until the user submits a valid PIN from
a trusted application, thus enabling usage of the
private key, and then asks the smart card to
digitally sign some rogue data. The operation
completes but the user never knows that their
private key was just used against their will.

Trojan horse attacks

Prevention

The countermeasure to prevent this attack is to use

single-access device driver architecture. With this type
of architecture, the operating system enforces that only
one application can have access to the serial device
(and thus the smart card) at any given time.
Another way to prevent the attack is by using a smart
card that enforces a "one private key usage per PIN
entry" policy model. In this model, the user must enter
their PIN every single time the private key is to be used
and therefore the Trojan horse would not have access to
the key.

Social Engineering attacks

In computer security systems, this type of attack is usually

the most successful, especially when the security

technology is properly implemented and configured.
Usually, these attacks rely on the faults in human beings.
An example of a social engineering attack has a hacker
impersonating a network service technician. The
serviceman approaches a low-level employee and requests
their password for network servicing purposes. With smart
cards, this type of attack is a bit more difficult. Most
people would not trust an impersonator wishing to have
their smart card and PIN for service purposes.

Smart card features

Two factor authentication
Secure storage for private keys
Non-repudiation
cryptographic smart cards are designed to ensure that a users private key
never leaves the smart card, it cannot be copied, replicated or misused by
another individual. As a result, you can be extremely confident that the
private key (which is the lynch pin to an entire PKI infrastructure) is
always in the sole possession of the user. That means that one has
undeniable evidence that connects a specific user to each transaction.

Single sign-on
The corporate user no longer has to remember multiple passwords to
multiple applications. On the contrary, the user simply inserts his smart
card, enters the PIN and the rest of the work is performed by the smart
card.

Mobility
Multiple applications on a single card

Smart card features

Personalization
Personalization involves customizing smart cards for your business. Physical

personalization and electronic personalization

PKI
The core of solutions based on the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) consists
of a pair of keys - the public key and the private key. Storing the private key
of the key pair underlying the PKI system is an essential part of security and
ease of use. The private key is stored in the chip of the smart card; thus, only
the cardholder can use his private key. The register of public keys is
maintained and administered by a trusted third party.

Economic benefits
Smart cards reduce transaction costs by eliminating paper and paper
handling costs in hospitals and government benefit payment programs.
Contact and contactless toll payment cards streamline toll collection
procedures, reducing labor costs as well as delays caused by manual
systems.

Smart card features

Customization
A smart card contains all the data needed to personalize networking, Web
connection, payments and other applications.

Increase the security of password based systems

One of the biggest problems in typical password systems is that
users write down their password and attach it to their monitor or
keyboard. They also tend to choose weak passwords and share
their passwords with other people. If a smart card is used to store a
users multiple passwords, they need only remember the PIN to the
smart card in order to access all of the passwords.

Portability of Keys and Certificates

With smart cards the certificate and private key are portable, and
can be used on multiple workstations, whether they are at work, at
home, or on the road.

Auto-disabling PINs Versus Dictionary Attacks

Smart card features

Counting the Number of Private Key Usages
Smart card based digital signatures provide benefits
over handwritten signatures because they are much
more difficult to forge and they can enforce the
integrity of the document through technologies such as
hashing.

Smart Card Readers

Though commonly referred to as smart card readers, all

smart card enabled terminals, by definition, have the

ability to read and write as long as the smart card supports
it and the proper access conditions have been fulfilled.
Some examples include: reader integrated into a vending
machine, handheld battery-operated reader with a small
LCD screen, reader integrated into a GSM mobile phone,
and a reader attached to a personal computer.

Smart card applications

Financial services - Financial institutions are looking to use Smart
Cards to deliver higher value-added services to businesses and
consumers at a lower cost per transaction.
Electronic purse to replace coins for small purchases in vending
machines and over-the-counter transactions
Credit and/or Debit Accounts, replicating what is currently on the
magnetic stripe bank card, but in a more secure environment.
Securing payment across the Internet as part of Electronic
Commerce.

Affinity programs - Airlines want to use Smart Cards not only as a

vehicle for issuing and carrying tickets - even though the single benefit
of being able to securely order/provide a ticket directly to chip cards
via the Internet is substantial. Airlines also want to use the cards to
provide tie-ins to their frequent-flyer programs and to cross-marketing
deals with auto rentals and hotels, as well as to provide simplified
access to private airline lounges.

Smart card applications

Government Programs
Electronic Benefits Transfer using smart cards to carry Food

Stamp and WIC food benefits in lieu of paper coupons and

vouchers.
Agricultural producer smart marketing card to track quotas.

Communication applications
The secure initiation of calls and identification of caller (for

billing purposes) on any Global System for Mobile

Communications (GSM) phone.
Subscriber activation of programming on Pay-TV.

Information Security
Employee access card with secured passwords and the potential

to employ biometrics to protect access to computer systems

Smart card applications

Secure network access
Smart Cards can carry an individual's digital signature. With
this ability, they provide a special mechanism to secure access
to computer networks within a corporation, they help ensure
that only individuals with the proper authority can get access
to specific network resources, and they reduce the likelihood
that hackers can break into a system.

Healthcare
Banking
Internet

Smart Card Applications

Information Technology
Businesses, the government and healthcare organizations
continue to move towards storing and releasing information
via networks, Intranets, extranets and the Internet. These
organizations are turning to smart cards to make this
information readily available to those who need it, while at the
same time protecting the privacy of individuals and keeping
their informational assets safe from hacking and other
unwanted intrusions. In this capacity, smart cards enable:
Secure logon and authentication of users to PCs and
networks
Secure B2B and B2C e-commerce
Storage of digital certificates, credentials and passwords
Encryption of sensitive data

Smart Card Applications

Mobile Telecommunications
People using the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM)
standard for mobile phones use smart card technology. The smart card
is inserted or integrated into the mobile handset. The card stores
personal subscriber information and preferences that can be PIN code
protected and transported from phone to phone. The smart cards
enable:
Secure subscriber authentication
Roaming across networks
Secure mobile value added services

Smart Card Applications

Commercial Applications
Smart cards also provide benefits for a host of commercial
applications in both B2B and B2C environments. The smart cards
portability and ability to be updated make it a technology well suited
for connecting the virtual and physical worlds, as well as multi-partner
card programs. The cards store information, money, and/or
applications that can be used for:
Banking/payment
Loyalty and promotions
Access control
Stored value
Identification
Ticketing
Parking and toll collection

Smart card Applications

Physical Access

Employee access card with secured ID and the potential to employ

biometrics to protect physical access to facilities
Transportation
Drivers Licenses.
Mass Transit Fare Collection Systems.
Electronic Toll Collection Systems.
Retail and Loyalty
Consumer reward/redemption tracking on a smart loyalty card, that is
marketed to specific consumer profiles and linked to one or more specific
retailers serving that profile set.
Health Card
Consumer health card containing insurance eligibility and emergency
medical data.
University Identification
All-purpose student ID card (a/k/a/ campus card) , containing a variety of
applications such as electronic purse (for vending and laundry machines),
library card, and meal card.

Bibliography

R. Anderson and M. Kuhn, "Tamper Resistance---a Cautionary Note," Proc. 2nd Usenix
Workshop on Electronic Commerce, Usenix, Berkeley, Calif., 1996, pp. 1-11.
R. Anderson, M. Kuhn, Low Cost Attacks on Tamper Resistant Devices," Security
Protocol workshop, April 1997, http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/ftp/users/rja14/tamper2.ps.gz.
D. Boneh, R. DeMillo, and R. Lipton, On the Importance of Checking Cryptographic
Protocols for Faults," Advances in Cryptology: Proceedings of EUROCRYPT '97,
Springer-Verlag, May 1997, pp. 37-51.
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Smart card Alliance, http://www.smartcardalliance.org/
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Prepaid Smart Card Techniques,
http://ntrg.cs.tcd.ie/mepeirce/Project/Chaum/cardcom.html
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Smart cards: A primer, http://www.javaworld.com/javaworld/jw-12-1997/jw-12javadev.html
CITI Projects: Smart cards: http://www.citi.umich.edu/projects/smartcard/
Schlumberger sema smart cards: http://www.smartcards.net/
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http://www.datacard.com/smart_card_center/white_papers.shtm
Multifunctionality of smart card: http://www.oberthurusa.com/whitepapers-multi.asp
M.U.S.C.L.E: http://www.linuxnet.com/

Bibliography

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