An Improved HB++ Protocol Against Man-in-Middle Attack in RFID System

Lightweight authentication protocols are necessary in the RFID system because the tag lacks computational resources, memory, power and communication ability. This paper analyzes the security of different lightweight protocols in the HB protocol family and presents an active attack against the modified HB⁺⁺ protocol proposed by Selwyn Piramuthu. According to this attack, the AUHB⁺⁺ protocol is proposed. The computational complexity of this protocol is at the same level with the HB⁺⁺ protocol and the cost of tag is effectively controlled without appending additional hardware unit. Moreover, this protocol can provide the authentication, untraceability and availably protect from the man-in-the-middle attack made by the adversary who pretends to be a legitimate reader.