Challenges in Distance Bounding

Smartcard-based protocols represent an increasingly large share of the wireless authentication market, from contactless payments to remote car unlocking. Unfortunately, relay attacks pose a significant threat to these wireless solutions. However, this risk can be mitigated through the use of distance-bounding protocols. The authors discuss the core challenges of distance bounding, in terms of both theoretical and practical considerations, focusing on their security and the difficulties encountered in their design and implementation. The authors present their vision of the future of these protocols and of the possible paths toward their secure deployment.