Maria Eichlseder

Assoc.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn. BSc BSc

Cryptology & Privacy, Associate Professor

Maria Eichlseder is associate professor in Cryptography at Graz University of Technology. Her research interests include the design and cryptanalysis of symmetric cryptographic algorithms, such as hash functions and authenticated encryption algorithms and their underlying primitives. She co-designed Ascon, a lightweight authenticated cipher that was selected by NIST as new standard for lightweight cryptography in 2023. She defended her Ph.D. sub auspiciis praesidentis in 2018 and visited Ruhr-Universität Bochum and Radboud University Nijmegen as a guest researcher. Prior, she studied Computer Science and Technical Mathematics at Graz University of Technology. She has received several awards for her work, including an ERC Starting Grant in 2025.
+43 316 873 - 5503
maria.eichlseder@tugraz.at
https://www.isec.tugraz.at/eichlseder/
IF01104
TUGRAZ online
Maria Eichlseder

Research

My research interests include the design and cryptanalysis of symmetric cryptographic algorithms, such as hash functions and authenticated encryption algorithms and their underlying primitives: permutations, (tweakable) block ciphers, etc. In my research, I am particularly interested in their "practical security", which includes robustness against misuse and implementation attacks in addition to cryptanalytic security. I enjoy exploring mathematical aspects of cryptanalysis, useful tools and heuristics, and connections between cryptanalytic and physical attacks.

Online resources on selected research topics:

For my recent publications, check DBLP or Google Scholar.

Teaching

I teach cryptography as part of several undergraduate and graduate courses (see TUGRAZonline):

You can find many of my lectures on Youtube.

Looking for a bachelor's thesis, master's thesis, or project in symmetric cypto, cryptanalysis, and practical security? Let me know, I’m always happy to discuss open topics!

Previously offered courses:

  • Applied Cryptography (lecture and practicals: 2014/15–2019/20, see "Cryptography")
  • Applied Cryptography 2 (lecture/seminar and practicals: 2014/15–2019/20, see "Cryptanalysis")
  • Computermathematik (lecture with integrated practicals: 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16)
  • Diskrete Stochastik und Informationstheorie (practicals: 2013/14)
  • Erstellung wissenschaftlicher Arbeiten mit LaTeX (Interne Weiterbildung: 2014/15–2017/18)

Service

Reviewing

Peer-reviewing as a Program Committee or Editorial Board member:

LaTeX Templates

Publications

Preimage-type Attacks for Reduced Ascon-Hash: Application to Ed25519

Nageler M., Schmid L., Eichlseder M.
Selected Areas in Cryptography – SAC 2025, Springer

AutoDiVer: Automatically Verifying Differential Characteristics and Learning Key Conditions

Nageler M., Ghosh S., Jüttler M., Eichlseder M.
IACR Transactions on Symmetric Cryptology, Vol. 2025(1), 471-514

slides icon

Selected Areas in Cryptography - SAC 2024, Part II

Eichlseder M., Gambs S.
, Springer, (Lecture Notes in Computer Science; vol. 15517 LNCS)

Selected Areas in Cryptography - SAC 2024, Part I

Eichlseder M., Gambs S.
, Springer, (Lecture Notes in Computer Science; vol. 15516 LNCS)

Finding Complete Impossible Differential Attacks on AndRX Ciphers and Efficient Distinguishers for ARX Designs

Chakraborty D., Hadipour H., Nguyen P., Eichlseder M.
IACR Transactions on Symmetric Cryptology, Vol. 2024(3), 84-176

slides icon
More Publications