Objective
The security of modern web applications depends on a variety of critical components including cryptographic libraries, Transport Layer Security (TLS), browser security mechanisms, and single sign-on protocols. Although these components are widely used, their security guarantees remain poorly understood, leading to subtle bugs and frequent attacks.
Rather than fixing one attack at a time, we advocate the use of formal security verification to identify and eliminate entire classes of vulnerabilities in one go. With the aid of my ERC starting grant, I have built a team that has already achieved landmark results in this direction. We built the first TLS implementation with a cryptographic proof of security. We discovered high-profile vulnerabilities such as the recent Triple Handshake and FREAK attacks, both of which triggered critical security updates to all major web browsers and TLS libraries.
So far, our security theorems only apply to carefully-written standalone reference implementations. CIRCUS proposes to take on the next great challenge: verifying the end-to-end security of web applications running in mainstream software. The key idea is to identify the core security components of web browsers and servers and replace them by rigorously verified components that offer the same functionality but with robust security guarantees.
Our goal is ambitious and there are many challenges to overcome, but we believe this is an opportune time for this proposal. In response to the Snowden reports, many cryptographic libraries and protocols are currently being audited and redesigned. Standards bodies and software developers are inviting researchers to help analyse their designs and code. Responding to their call requires a team of researchers who are willing to deal with the messy details of nascent standards and legacy code, and at the same time prove strong security theorems based on precise cryptographic assumptions. We are able, we are willing, and the time is now.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences computer and information sciences computer security access control
- natural sciences computer and information sciences internet transport layer
- natural sciences computer and information sciences computer security cryptography
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering information engineering telecommunications mobile phones
- natural sciences computer and information sciences software software applications
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2015-CoG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
78153 Le Chesnay Cedex
France
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.