Statistical cryptanalysis of seven classical lightweight ciphers

Abstract

The smart world currently employs smart devices that are inextricably linked with everyday life. These smart devices are lightweight due to their small size, low memory capacity, low-power batteries, and limited computational capability.Conventional cryptographic algorithms aren’t applicable there. This demand leads to the development of lightweight cryptography (LWC). In various literature surveys, many researchers analysed lightweight ciphers in terms of area, throughput, latency, power consumption, energy dissipation, encryption-decryption time, etc. However, no single paper includes a variety of statistical cryptanalysis of LWCs. Such a type of bit-level data analysis checks the vulnerabilities of algorithms against different kinds of attacks. It ensures the difficulties of cryptanalysis. This paper has included seven classical lightweight ciphers PRESENT, SIMON, TEA, SPECK, CLEFIA, MICKEY2.0, and GRAIN V1, for statistical data analysis. The analysis includes non-homogeneity, avalanche ratio, entropy, floating frequency, frequency distribution, auto-correlation, periodicity, 4-gram pattern analysis.Moreover, four randomness like frequency, serial, run, and poker tests are also added. Finally, a comparative and compact discussion has made on ciphers’ efficiency. This study makes a trade-off, which proves the uniqueness of this work. It opens a new window for the upcoming researchers to search their work area.