constant-time-testing

Detect timing-based side-channel leaks in cryptographic code using dudect and Timecop.

6.5k|561|Updated Jan 14, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/trailofbits/skills --skill constant-time-testing-trailofbits
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: constant-time-testing
Source: https://github.com/trailofbits/skills/tree/main/plugins/testing-handbook-skills/skills/constant-time-testing
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/trailofbits/skills --skill constant-time-testing-trailofbits

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Timing side-channel leaks in cryptographic code can allow attackers to infer secrets if execution time depends on sensitive data, undermining crypto security.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Detect timing leaks in cryptographic primitives and protocols.
  • Provide a structured workflow for dynamic, static, and statistical analysis.
  • Integrate with common tooling (dudect, Timecop) to locate, quantify, and remediate leaks.

Quick Start

Run a constant-time analysis harness against a cryptographic function to detect timing leaks.

Frequently Asked Questions about constant-time-testing

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I detect timing side-channel leaks in cryptographic code?

To detect timing side-channel leaks in cryptographic code, run a constant-time analysis harness against your cryptographic function to identify secret-dependent timing paths using dynamic, static, and statistical approaches.

What is the best way to use dudect to find secret-dependent timing paths?

Using dudect provides a statistical testing approach to locate and quantify secret-dependent timing leaks in cryptographic primitives, characterizing execution time variations based on sensitive data inputs.

Can I integrate constant-time security analysis into my CI pipeline?

Constant-time security analysis can be integrated into CI pipelines to continuously review crypto code, detect timing leaks during development, and guide automated remediation of cryptographic implementations.

Does Timecop work for dynamic analysis of cryptographic primitives?

Timecop supports dynamic analysis of cryptographic primitives by instrumenting execution to locate timing leaks, characterizing secret-dependent paths that could undermine crypto security.

What are the limitations of statistical testing for timing attacks?

Statistical testing for timing attacks may miss subtle leaks without sufficient sampling, requiring complementary formal and symbolic approaches to fully characterize and remediate all secret-dependent timing paths in cryptographic code.