Timing Side Channel Profiler (TSP): Advanced Browser Tool for Detecting Timing Anomalies

Web security has become one of the most critical areas in modern software development. Among the many attack vectors that researchers and developers need to consider, timing side channel attacks are often overlooked. These attacks exploit tiny variations in response times to reveal sensitive information. To address this issue, the Timing Side Channel Profiler (TSP) was created.

Available for both Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, TSP is a local-only browser extension that provides developers, researchers, and bug bounty hunters with deep visibility into timing-related behaviors in web applications. Unlike traditional profiling tools that may log or transmit data, TSP ensures that everything remains completely local to your browser, giving you privacy and control.

What is Timing Side Channel Profiler (TSP)?

TSP is a developer and security testing tool that allows users to analyze the timing of different operations within a web application. By capturing network timings, resource load times, paint events, and user-triggered interactions, it makes it possible to detect patterns that could indicate performance bottlenecks or timing-based vulnerabilities.

The profiler also comes with an active probing mode (opt-in) that lets users run controlled tests across endpoints. This is especially useful for researchers who want to compare response times and study whether differences could be exploited as side-channels.

Why Timing Attacks Matter

A timing attack occurs when an attacker measures the time taken for certain operations and uses this information to infer sensitive data. For example, the time difference in processing a correct versus an incorrect password might reveal hints about the actual password. Similarly, delays in web application responses may expose structural information about the backend systems.

Such attacks can:

• Compromise user credentials
• Leak cryptographic secrets
• Reveal sensitive application logic
• Allow attackers to map hidden endpoints

By using TSP, developers and researchers can simulate how an attacker might exploit timing differences, giving them the chance to fix issues before they are abused in the real world.

Key Features of Timing Side Channel Profiler

The Timing Side Channel Profiler comes packed with powerful features designed specifically for performance monitoring and security testing:

1. Fetch & XHR Monitoring
   • Captures the timing of JavaScript fetch() and XMLHttpRequest calls.
   • Helps in spotting unusual delays in API responses.
2. Detailed Resource Loading Metrics
   • Provides DNS lookup times, TCP/SSL handshake durations, redirect timings, and response start/finish times.
   • Gives complete visibility into network-level performance.
3. Paint Event Tracking
   • Records first paint and first contentful paint to analyze user experience.
   • Useful for both developers and performance testers.
4. Active Probe Mode (Opt-in)
   • Allows controlled timing tests across multiple endpoints.
   • Great for comparing response behaviors in bug bounty research.
5. Data Export for Offline Analysis
   • Results can be exported in JSON format.
   • Compatible with analysis tools like Jupyter Notebook for deep research.
6. Local-Only Operation
   • No data leaves your browser.
   • Privacy-friendly and fully under the user’s control.

Benefits of Using Timing Side Channel Profiler

1. For Developers

Developers can use TSP to detect hidden performance bottlenecks. By monitoring API calls and rendering timings, it becomes easier to optimize user experience.

2. For Security Researchers

TSP provides a safe environment to explore timing-based vulnerabilities. Researchers can identify potential weak points without needing third-party logging tools.

3. For Bug Bounty Hunters

Bug bounty professionals can leverage TSP to uncover subtle vulnerabilities that might not be visible through normal testing. The export function allows them to document findings effectively.

4. For Performance Testers

Beyond security, TSP is also a great tool for benchmarking load times. It provides insights into network delays, rendering events, and overall responsiveness.

Why Choose Timing Side Channel Profiler Over Other Tools?

Most profiling tools either focus heavily on performance or require external logging. TSP stands out because:

• It’s lightweight and runs inside the browser.
• It’s privacy-first, with no data transmission.
• It’s built with security research in mind, not just performance monitoring.
• It’s available on both Chrome and Firefox, making it cross-platform.

Installation Guide

• For Chrome Users
  Install directly from the Chrome Web Store.
• For Firefox Users
  Add it from Mozilla Add-ons.

The installation process is simple and takes less than a minute. Once installed, TSP runs quietly in the background and starts capturing relevant timings.

Example Use Cases

1. API Endpoint Testing
   A researcher can send multiple requests to different endpoints and compare response times. Subtle differences might reveal information about authentication or hidden resources.
2. Front-End Performance Monitoring
   Developers can identify whether slow rendering is caused by DNS delays, server response issues, or inefficient client-side scripts.
3. Bug Bounty Investigations
   A bug bounty hunter may use TSP to demonstrate a timing side-channel vulnerability with concrete data exports.

Privacy and Safety

One of the strongest points of TSP is its commitment to privacy. Unlike other profilers or monitoring extensions, it:

• Does not collect personal data
• Does not transmit logs externally
• Operates locally only

This makes it not only safe but also suitable for sensitive security research environments.

Conclusion

The Timing Side Channel Profiler (TSP) by 0x is a must-have tool for developers, researchers, and bug bounty hunters. It bridges the gap between performance testing and security research by providing clear, local-only insights into timing behaviors. Whether you’re optimizing a web app, analyzing potential side-channels, or preparing a bug bounty report, TSP gives you the visibility you need.

With increasing awareness of side-channel risks, tools like TSP are becoming essential for building safer and faster applications.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)