Attestation Mechanism for Distributed Control Plane Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Distributed systems face vulnerabilities due to unauthorized use of keys in authority delegation, as compromised private keys can be used to misuse authority, leading to potential attacks on the command and control system.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an attestation process that verifies the possession and management of public keys in accordance with key management practices, using attestation certificates signed by trusted entities, to ensure only attested keys are used for delegation, thereby reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If authority delegation is implemented in distributed systems using public keys, then system functionality and scalability are improved, but security vulnerabilities increase due to potential unauthorized use of compromised keys
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary verification process between key possession and authority delegation. A trusted third party (attestation service) verifies that the entity actually possesses the private key corresponding to the public key before allowing delegation. This intermediary step prevents unauthorized use of compromised keys while maintaining the functionality of authority delegation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary verification of key possession through attestation before authority delegation occurs. The system performs advance checks by requiring entities to prove possession of private keys through cryptographic challenges or other verification mechanisms prior to granting delegation rights, thereby preventing security breaches from compromised keys.
2Device complexity
If traditional certificate verification is used, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but security against compromised keys is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary attestation layer between traditional certificate verification and authority delegation. Instead of directly trusting certificates, the system uses an attestation service as a mediator to verify key possession and issue attestation certificates that provide enhanced security guarantees against unauthorized key usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary attestation verification before certificate-based authority delegation takes effect. The system requires entities to complete key possession verification through trusted attestation services beforehand, creating a security barrier that prevents compromised keys from being used for unauthorized delegation.
3Reliability
If attestation verification of key possession is implemented, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but system complexity and verification overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where entities prove their own key possession through cryptographic challenges and proofs generated by their own systems. The attestation process leverages the entity's own cryptographic capabilities to demonstrate key ownership without requiring complex external verification infrastructure, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining security.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for managing the security of distributed systems that utilize certificates for command and control purposes are disclosed. The certificates may be used to delegate authority to various entities and attest public keys associated with the entities. To manage security using the certificates, the system may limit use of certificates and public keys to only those that have been attested. By doing so, the vulnerability to attacks through unauthorized use of keys of delegates may be reduced.