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arXiv · 2503.21650

Hacking quantum computers with row hammer attack

Fernando Almaguer-Angeles·Pedro R. Dieguez·Akshata Shenoy H.·Marcin Pawłowski
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Abstract

We demonstrate a hardware vulnerability in quantum computing systems by exploiting cross-talk effects on an available commercial quantum computer (IBM). Specifically, based on the cross-talk produced by certain quantum gates, we implement a row hammer attack that ultimately allows us to flip a qubit. Both single-qubit and two-qubit operations are performed and analyzed. Our findings reveal that two-qubit operations applied near the target qubit significantly influence it through cross-talk, effectively compromising its state.

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Fernando Almaguer-Angeles, Pedro R. Dieguez, Akshata Shenoy H., Marcin Pawłowski. 2025-03-27. Hacking quantum computers with row hammer attack. https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.21650

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