Q-OpenVPN: A New Extension of OpenVPN Based on a Quantum Scheme for Authentication and Key Distribution

Abstract

Virtual Private Network (VPN) tunnels are cryptographic solutions that enable sensitive information to be transmitted over an untrusted environment, and ensure the most imperative security services such as confidentiality,integrity, and authentication. OpenVPN is an open source implementation of VPN. In the present work, we propose the deployment of a quantum protocol for cryptographic key exchange and authentication within OpenVPN between both sides of the tunnel. Our approach is a prominent step towards unconditional security based on the laws of quantum physics. Despite the huge progress in the quantum research field, quantifying the confidence and secrecy of the proposed scheme still remains a hard task. In this context, we adopt a probabilistic approach based on the technique of Model Checking, using the PRISM tool. We basically focus on two pioneering security properties: the ability to detect an eavesdropper independently of its computational power and the minimization of the amount of information gained by the eavesdropper about the secret key.