Hardware trojan detection through information flow security verification

Abstract

Disclosed are various embodiments for detecting hardware Trojans through information flow security verification. A file comprising register transfer level (HDL) code for an intellectual property core is loaded from memory. An asset within the intellectual property core is identified. An integrity verification or confidentiality verification of the HDL code that represents the asset is performed. An integrity violation or confidentiality violation within the HDL code as a result of performance of the integrity verification or confidentiality violation on the HDL code that represents the asset is detected. A malicious control point or a malicious observation point linked to the asset is identified. Finally, a trigger circuit for a hardware Trojan is identified in response to identification of the malicious control point or malicious observation point.