NTRU-MCF: A Chaos-Enhanced Multidimensional Lattice Signature Scheme for Post-Quantum Cryptography

To address the growing threat of quantum computing to classical cryptographic primitives, this study introduces NTRU-MCF, a novel lattice-based signature scheme that integrates multidimensional lattice structures with fractional-order chaotic systems. By extending the NTRU framework to multidimensional polynomial rings, NTRU-MCF exponentially expands the private key search space, achieving a key space size ≥2256 for dimensions m≥2 and rendering brute-force attacks infeasible. By incorporating fractional-order chaotic masks generated via a hyperchaotic Lü system, the scheme introduces nonlinear randomness and robust resistance to physical attacks. Fractional-order chaotic masks, generated via a hyperchaotic Lü system validated through NIST SP 800-22 randomness tests, replace conventional pseudorandom number generators (PRNGs). The sensitivity to initial conditions ensures cryptographic unpredictability, while the use of a fractional-order L hyperchaotic system-instead of conventional pseudorandom number generators (PRNGs)-leverages multiple Lyapunov exponents and initial value sensitivity to embed physically unclonable properties into key generation, effectively mitigating side-channel analysis. Theoretical analysis shows that NTRU-MCF's security reduces to the Ring Learning with Errors (RLWE) problem, offering superior quantum resistance compared to existing NTRU variants. While its computational and storage complexity suits high-security applications like military and financial systems, it is less suitable for resource-constrained devices. NTRU-MCF provides robust quantum resistance and side-channel defense, advancing PQC for classical computing environments.