A Survey of Machine Learning-based TLS 1.3 Encrypted Traffic Analysis

The rapid advancement of Internet technology has elevated the importance of encrypted communication protocols in network security. As transport layer security (TLS) becomes the predominant encryption protocol, its latest version, TLS 1.3, introduces enhanced security features that challenge conventional traffic analysis approaches. This survey examines how machine learning techniques are being adapted to analyze TLS 1.3 encrypted traffic effectively. Specifically, this paper describes the broad application scenarios for TLS traffic analysis at first, and highlight their importance. Next, we introduce the key modifications of TLS 1.3 and analyzed the significance of these modifications. Then, we also review the latest developments in machine learning methods specifically designed for TLS 1.3 traffic analysis. Finally, the major challenges currently facing the field and future research trends are introduced in this paper, providing a roadmap for researchers in this evolving field.