Matter: Multi-Stage Adaptive Thermal Trojan for Efficiency & Resilience Degradation

As mobile systems become more advanced, the security of System-on-Chips (SoCs) faces increasing threats from thermal attacks. This research introduces a novel attack vector called the Multi-stage Adaptive Thermal Trojan for Efficiency and Resilience Degradation (MATTER). MATTER exploits weaknesses in Dynamic Thermal Management (DTM) systems by manipulating temperature sensor interfaces, leading to incorrect thermal readings that, in turn, disrupt the SoC's ability to manage heat effectively. Our experiments show that this attack can degrade the performance of DTM by up to 73%, highlighting serious vulnerabilities in modern mobile devices. By exploiting the trust placed in temperature sensors, MATTER causes DTM systems to make poor decisions, i.e., failing to activate cooling mechanisms when needed. This degrades system performance and threatens hardware lifespan. This paper provides a detailed analysis of MATTER and underscores the need for improved thermal management systems in SoCs.