Inferring communication pairs in end-to-end encrypted messaging applications

Aoun, Tala

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129271 Copy

Description

Title

Inferring communication pairs in end-to-end encrypted messaging applications

Author(s)

Aoun, Tala

Issue Date

2025-04-29

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Levchenko, Kirill

Department of Study

Electrical & Computer Eng

Discipline

Electrical & Computer Engr

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• network security
• encrypted communication
• timing correlation attacks

Abstract

Modern messaging platforms have widely adopted end-to-end encryption to secure user communications. However, encryption alone does not prevent adversaries from leveraging traffic analysis techniques to leak information and communication patterns. This poses significant risks, particularly in environments where metadata surveillance is used to suppress dissent, track activists, or monitor sensitive exchanges, such as those between journalists and whistleblowers. In this study, we analyze the extent to which an attacker monitoring network traffic can accurately determine the identity of a target user’s communication partner based solely on the encrypted traffic. We construct a model of user behavior based on real-world messaging data from WhatsApp, simulating communication scenarios and mapping them to observable network traffic patterns. Our approach identifies key metadata features such as message timing, packet sizes, and delivery notifications that enable traffic correlation. Our findings provide actionable insights for enhancing privacy in encrypted messaging applications and highlight the need for stronger defenses against metadata-based surveillance.

Graduation Semester

2025-05

Type of Resource

Thesis

Handle URL

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129271

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2025 Tala Aoun

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