Enhancing V2X Security: A Cryptographic Key Self-Distributed Protocol for Resilient V2V Communication

We propose a novel cryptographic key self-distributed Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication protocol that enables each vehicle to independently generate its own cryptographic keys, thereby eliminating the reliance on a centralized authority. The secure exchange of these keys is facilitated through the use of group signatures, which authenticate a vehicle’s identity and ensure the secure distribution of communication keys. Furthermore, our protocol assigns a unique communication key to each vehicle, effectively mitigating the risk of spoofing attacks. To enhance security, we also integrate a Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) for executing the protocol and securely storing exchanged keys. As a result, our protocol satisfies key security properties, including integrity, confidentiality, and anonymity, while providing a robust framework for secure V2V communication. The need for such a protocol arises from the increasing integration of advanced technologies, such as Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control (CACC) and smart traffic lights, into vehicles and infrastructure (e.g., Roadside Units, RSUs). These technologies aim to stabilize traffic flow and reduce the likelihood of accidents by facilitating the exchange of crucial information, such as speed and location, between nearby vehicles (V2V) or between vehicles and infrastructure (V2I). However, the inherent communication processes in these systems introduce significant security concerns, including privacy breaches and susceptibility to various cyberattacks. Existing communication protocols utilize cryptographic algorithms to ensure essential security properties like confidentiality and anonymity, but they still face critical vulnerabilities. Most current V2V communication protocols rely on a centralized approach for securely exchanging cryptographic keys, following a typical sequence of steps: 1) A centralized authority, such as an RSU, generates cryptographic keys; 2) Vehicles receive these keys and send their identities back to the centralized authority; 3) The authority then provides a shared communication key to the vehicles; 4) Vehicles use this key for secure communication with each other. This centralized approach, however, presents several challenges. For example, if the centralized authority fails (e.g., due to an outage), vehicles are unable to exchange the necessary keys, leading to a single point of failure. Additionally, if an attacker compromises the shared communication key, they can inject malicious messages, potentially causing disruptions or accidents. Our proposed protocol addresses these challenges by removing the dependency on a centralized authority and utilizing a decentralized approach that leverages group signatures and TEEs. This novel design facilitates rapid key exchange and secure communication, enabling vehicles to manage urgent situations effectively while maintaining a resilient and secure vehicular communication network.

• Record URL:
  • https://utc.engineering.osu.edu/enhancing-v2x-security-cryptographic-key-self-distributed-protocol-resilient-v2v-communication

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $126079
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552348327

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Center for Automated Vehicle Research with Multimodal Assured Navigation

  Ohio State University
  Columbus, OH  United States  43210
• Project Managers:

  Kline, Robin

• Performing Organizations:

  Ohio State University Center for Automotive Research

  930 Kinnear Road
  Columbus, OH  United States  43212
• Principal Investigators:

  Lin, Zhiqiang

• Start Date: 20231030
• Expected Completion Date: 20250831
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Autonomous vehicles; Intersections; Performance tests; Simulation; Software; Traffic violations
• Subject Areas: Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01901380
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Center for Automated Vehicle Research with Multimodal Assured Navigation
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552348327
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Dec 4 2023 6:46PM