Category Archives: BSc Theses

Cybersecurity related bachelor’s and master’s theses in University of Tartu 2015/2016

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Defense committee: Dominique Unruh (chairman), Siim Karus, Vitaly Skachek, Dirk Oliver Theis, Raimundas Matulevicius.

A Cost-Effective Approach to Key Management in Online Voting Scenarios
Abstract: Since smart cards both offer reasonable prices and expose an API for development, this document evaluates different approaches to implement threshold encryption over smart cards to support an electoral process.
Student: Sergio Andrés Figueroa Santos
Curriculum: NordSecMob (MSc)
Supervisor: Sven Heiberg, Helger Lipmaa, Tuomas Aura
Reviewer: Ivo Kubjas
Defense: 02.06.2016, 09:00, Liivi 2-405

Revision of Security Risk-oriented Patterns for Distributed Systems
Abstract: In this thesis, we target the secure system development problem by suggesting application of security risk-oriented patterns. The applicability of these security risk-oriented patterns is validated on business processes from aviation turnaround system.
Student: Silver Samarütel
Curriculum: Software Engineering (MSc)
Supervisor: Raimundas Matulevicius
Reviewer: Alexander Horst Norta
Defense: 02.06.2016, 09:00, Liivi 2-405

Role Based Access Control as SecureUML Model in Web Applications Development with Spring Security
Abstract: In order to support and simplify the model-driven approach for a web application development with Spring platform, realization of a concept plugin for Eclipse IDE is proposed. This plugin supports the recognition of Spring Security notations with capability to visualize the RBAC model on top of them.
Student: Andrey Sergeev
Curriculum: Cyber Security (MSc)
Supervisor: Raimundas Matulevicius
Reviewer: Henri Lakk
Defense: 02.06.2016, 09:00, Liivi 2-405

Secure and Efficient Mix-Nets
Abstract: This thesis studies a zero-knowledge shuffle argument proposed by J. Furukawa in 2005. Firstly, we provide a more detailed and easily readable description of the shuffle and shuffle-decryption zero-knowledge protocols than in the original paper. Secondly, we provide two new characterizations of a permutation matrix and two simple modifications of the shuffle protocol that reduce the computational complexity.
Student: Janno Siim
Curriculum: Computer Science (MSc)
Supervisor: Helger Lipmaa
Reviewer: Sven Laur
Defense: 02.06.2016, 09:00, Liivi 2-405

A Comprehensive Protocol Suite for Secure Two-Party Computation
Abstract: In some scenarios, a two-party model is a better fit when no natural third party is involved in the application. In this work, we design and implement a full protocol suite for two-party computations on Sharemind, providing an alternative and viable solution in such cases.
Student: Sander Siim
Curriculum: Computer Science (MSc)
Supervisor: Dan Bogdanov, Pille Pullonen
Reviewer: Dominique Unruh
Defense: 06.06.2016, 09:00, Liivi 2-405

An improved type system for a privacy-aware programming language and its practical applications
Abstract: he goal of this thesis is to make it easier to add protection domain kinds to the SecreC language by allowing the programmer to define the protection domain kind data types, arithmetic operations and type conversions in the SecreC language without changing the compiler.
Student: Ville Sokk
Curriculum: Computer Science (MSc)
Supervisor: Dan Bogdanov, Jaak Randmets
Reviewer: Vesal Vojdani
Defense: 06.06.2016, 09:00, Liivi 2-405

Energy Harvesting in Cooperative Communications
Abstract: Energy harvesting (EH) is a crucial technology for a variety of wireless systems that have limited access to a reliable electricity supply or recharging sources. In this thesis, the design of a multiple access relay system (MARS) using EH is considered.
Student: Akashkumar Rajaram
Curriculum: Cyber Security (MSc)
Supervisor: Nalin Jayakody, Vitaly Skachek
Reviewer: Bin Chen
Defense: 06.06.2016, 09:00, Liivi 2-405

Security of Eduroam Passwords
Abstract: The University of Tartu has decided that the university’s eduroam accounts will share the same user credentials as the rest of the university’s services. This could potentially be abused by exploiting weaknesses in wireless security in order to gain access to a user’s university account. The aim of this research was to uncover any such weaknesses.
Student: Raul-Martin Rebane
Curriculum: Computer Science (BSc)
Supervisor: Dominique Unruh
Reviewer: Meelis Roos
Defense: 06.06.2016, 09:00, Liivi 2-405

Applying a Security Testing Methodology: a Case Study
Abstract: This thesis aims to describe and apply a process necessary to verify the security of a web application. A checklist of security requirements was gathered combining OWASP ASVS web application security standard and OWASP Top Ten project.
Student: Karin Klooster
Curriculum: Computer Science (BSc)
Supervisor: Meelis Roos, Margus Freudenthal
Reviewer: Kritjan Krips
Defense: 08.06.2016

Word frequency based log analysis
Abstract: The purpose of this bachelor thesis is to explore if you can use word frequency based analysis for log files and find interesting events without knowing the log structure.
Student: Karl Lääts
Curriculum: Computer Science (BSc)
Supervisor: Meelis Roos
Reviewer: Artjom Lind
Defense: 08.06.2016

Randomly Distributed PIN Code Input Layout
Abstract: This thesis examines the possibility of reducing the visual security breach of PIN code input by randomising the input field.
Student: Rain Tõugjas
Curriculum: Computer Science (BSc)
Supervisor: Tauno Palts, Kristjan Krips
Reviewer:
Defense: 08.2016

Smart Home Hacking
Abstract: This work investigates the security and privacy issues found at an emerging smart home technology such as the CoSSMic platform.
Student: Suela Kodra
Curriculum: NordSecMob (MSc)
Supervisor: Danilo Gligoroski, Marie Moe, Dominique Unruh
Reviewer: Raimundas Matulevičius
Defense: 18.08.2016, 09:30, Liivi 2-403

Cache-Timing Techniques: Exploiting the DSA Algorithm
Abstract: This work explains some of the cache-timing techniques commonly used to exploit vulnerable software. Using a particular combination of techniques and exploiting a vulnerability found in the implementation of the DSA signature scheme in the OpenSSL shared library, a cache-timing attack is performed against the DSA’s sliding window exponentiation algorithm.
Student: Cesar Pereida Garcia
Curriculum: NordSecMob (MSc)
Supervisor: Billy Bob Brumley, Dominique Unruh, N. Asokan
Reviewer: Arnis Paršovs
Defense: 26.08.2016, 11:00, Liivi 2-403

Links:
https://comserv.cs.ut.ee/ati_thesis/index.php?year=2016
http://www.cs.ut.ee/sites/default/files/2016/loput88d/Kaitsmiste%20ajakava.pdf

Cybersecurity related bachelor’s and master’s theses in University of Tartu 2014/2015

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An Empirical Comparison of Approaches for Security Requirements Elicitation
Abstract: Security Quality Requirements Engineering (SQUARE) and Security Requirements Elicitation from Business Processes (SREBP). This thesis compares the two methods based on an empirical case study of the Estonian Football Association. The elicited security requirements are categorized and the completeness of their coverage is compared.
Student: Karl Kolk
Curriculum: Cyber Security (MSc)
Supervisor: Raimundas Matulevicius
Reviewer: Fredrik Payman Milani
Defense: 26.02.2015

The Analysis and Design of a Privacy-Preserving Survey System
Abstract: This master’s thesis describes the design and business processes of the prototype of a secure survey system using secure multi-party computation. The design of the system is also described in this paper and is illustrated with a deployment model.
Student: Meril Vaht
Curriculum: Cyber Security (MSc)
Supervisor: Dan Bogdanov
Reviewer: Raimundas Matulevicius
Defense: 04.06.2015, 09:00, Liivi 2-405

Pattern Based Security Requirement Derivation with Security Risk-aware Secure Tropos
Abstract: In this master thesis we investigate the integration of a pattern based security requirement elicitation process in the goal-oriented IS development. By performing this integration we aim at providing a process that enables the elicitation of security requirements from Security Risk-aware Secure Tropos (RAST) models. The contribution of this thesis are five Security Risk-aware Patterns expressed using RAST.
Student: Atilio Rrenja
Curriculum: Software Engineering (MSc)
Supervisor: Raimundas Matulevicius
Reviewer: Peep Küngas
Defense: 04.06.2015, 09:00, Liivi 2-405.

Comparing Security Risk-oriented Modelling Languages to Manage Social Engineering Risks
Abstract: The paper applies structured approach in identification of one security risk management standard that can be applied with different modelling languages. For a more in-depth analysis in this paper considered several modelling languages as BPMN, Secure Tropos and Misuse case.
Student: Sarbar Tursunova
Curriculum: Cyber Security (MSc)
Supervisor: Raimundas Matulevicius
Defense: 04.06.2015, 09:00, Liivi 2-405.
Reviewer: Olga Altuhhova

Analysis and Mitigation of Recent Attacks on Mobile Communication Backend
Abstract: This thesis presents a broad and thorough overview and analysis of the known attacks against mobile network signaling protocols and the possible mitigation strategies. The attacks are presented in a uniform way, in relation to the mobile network protocol standards and signaling scenarios. Moreover, this thesis also presents a new attack that enables a malicious party with access to the signaling network to remove lost or stolen phones from the blacklist that is intended to prevent their use.
Student: Siddharth Prakash Rao
Curriculum: NordSecMob (MSc)
Supervisor: Tuomas Aura
Supervisor: Dominique Unruh
Supervisor: Silke Holtmanns
Supervisor: Ian Oliver
Reviewer: Arnis Paršovs
Defense: 09.06.2015, 09:00, Liivi 2-405.

Entropy Based Robust Watermarking Algorithm
Abstract: In this work, multiple robust watermarking algorithms are introduced. They embed watermark image into singular values of host image’s blocks with low entropy values. The quantitative and qualitative experimental results are indicating that the proposed algorithms are imperceptible and robust against many signal processing attacks.
Student: Lauri Laur
Curriculum: Software Engineering (MSc)
Supervisor: Gholamreza Anbarjafari
Supervisor: Mary Agoyi
Reviewer: Kaveh Khoshkhah
Defense: 09.06.2015, 09:00, Liivi 2-405.

NFC Security Solution for Web Applications
Abstract: This thesis compares existing and possible security solutions for web applications, analyses NFC compatibility for security solutions and proposes a new NFC authentication and signing solution using Google Cloud Messaging service and NFC Java Card. This new proposed solution enables authentication and signing via NFC enabled mobile phone and NFC Java Card without any additional readers or efforts to be made.
Student: Jonas Kiiver
Curriculum: Software Engineering (MSc)
Supervisor: Eero Vainikko
Reviewer: Meelis Roos
Defense: 09.06.2015, 09:00, Liivi 2-404.

Applying Estonian Internet Voting Individual Verification System to Other Electoral Systems
The current paper gives an overview of the Estonian internet voting individual verification system and introduces different ballot styles. It proposes and describes modifications to the Estonian system, so it could be used for individual verification with the introduced ballot styles and multiple elections.
Student: Joonas Lõmps
Curriculum: Informatics (BSc)
Supervisor: Sven Heiberg
Reviewer: Arnis Paršovs
Defense: 12.06.2015, 09:00, Liivi 2-404

Secure Bitcoin Wallet
This report outlines various methods and solutions targeting security concerns and aims to understand their effectiveness. It also describes Secure Bitcoin Wallet, standard Bitcoin transactions client, enhanced with various security features and services.
Student: Sevil Guler
Curriculum: NordSecMob (MSc)
Supervisor: Sead Muftic, Vitaly Skachek
Reviewer: Arnis Paršovs
Defense: 27.08.2015

Links:
http://comserv.cs.ut.ee/forms/ati_report/index.php?language=en
http://www.cs.ut.ee/en/msc/theses/deadlines

BSc thesis: Secure Data Transmission over Mobile Voice Channel

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data_over_gsm_voice_channel

Student: Maksim Lind
Supervisor: Alexander Tkachenko
Reviewer: Ilya Verenich

Abstract: A number of attempts has been done to address the issue of mobile communication security. In this work, we describe an alternative solution, where security is enforced before any information reaches the phone. Sensitive information such as voice is processed in an external device and then passed into the mobile phone as an analog sound signal. The advantage of this approach is that the external unit and can be attached to any phone with a sound input. While building the system, we analyzed a number of existing solutions, tuned parameters and performed experiments.

Conclusion:
As a result, our system established a secure data connection with transfer speeds up to 2000 bps and a medial error rate of 21 percent. Because of the high error rate, the channel we provided was not reliable enough to carry a voice signal.

The work does not deal with key management problem, but assumes that both parties have established symmetric key beforehand.
The idea itself is pretty neat and has been commercialized by JackPair kickstarter project.

Links:
http://comserv.cs.ut.ee/forms/ati_report/datasheet.php?id=45531&year=2015

BSc thesis: Denial of Service Attacks and Defense Solutions

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smurf_attack

Student: Erki Vaino
Supervisor: Meelis Roos
Reviewer: Ljubov Feklistova

Abstract
Over time denial of service attacks have become more sophisticated and a popular method amongst attackers. This document will provide overview of different attacks and defense solutions against them. Although there are many great resources about the subject in English, there are very few of them in Estonian. Firstly there is a general overview of the attacks how they can be classified. Then descriptions of how different attacks work and which vulnerabilities or mechanics they use to stop the victim for providing service. In the last part there are descriptions how these attacks can be stopped or mitigated and also which products and solutions companies currently provide on the market at the moment. Each product is described briefly and info given how it helps to protect the network.

The thesis also contains interviews with two Estonian IT infrastructure architects.

Links:
http://comserv.cs.ut.ee/forms/ati_report/datasheet.php?id=45551&year=2015