Boot Software Authentication Chain for Malware Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity of computing devices with multiple components and varied boot software parts introduces vulnerabilities to malware, compromising security and privacy, as traditional single-piece BIOS configurations are insufficient to prevent the surreptitious inclusion of malicious software.
Innovation Solution
A chain of authentication is established among boot software components using signatures and public keys, ensuring trustworthiness by isolating the boot process and allowing multiple parallel pathways that branch and rejoin, preventing unauthorized access and maintaining security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If boot software is divided into multiple parts from different sources, then functionality and adaptability are improved, but security and reliability deteriorate due to potential malware inclusion
Solution Approach 1:
The boot software is divided into multiple discrete components (BIOS, bootloaders, kernel, drivers) that can be independently developed, updated, and sourced from different vendors. This segmentation enables functional adaptability while the chain of authentication ensures each segment's integrity, resolving the contradiction between versatility and security.
Solution Approach 2:
A cryptographic authentication mechanism serves as an intermediary between boot software components and the trusted hardware environment. Each component presents cryptographic proof of authenticity to the next component in the boot chain, enabling secure verification of multiple external sources without compromising security.
2Reliability
If a single fully compiled BIOS is used, then security is improved by preventing malware, but adaptability and functionality are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The monolithic BIOS is segmented into multiple authenticated components that maintain security through cryptographic verification while enabling enhanced functionality. Each segment can be independently updated or replaced, providing adaptability without compromising the security model.
Solution Approach 2:
The boot software transitions from a static, immutable BIOS to a dynamic chain of authenticated components that can be selectively updated, replaced, or configured. The authentication mechanism ensures that dynamic changes maintain security requirements while enabling functional adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple parallel pathways are allowed in boot process, then adaptability is improved, but complexity of authentication increases
Solution Approach 1:
A universal authentication mechanism based on cryptographic verification is applied across all boot pathways and components. This single, consistent authentication approach handles multiple parallel pathways without requiring separate complex verification systems for each path, reducing overall complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments are generally directed to authenticating a chain of components of boot software of a computing device. An apparatus comprises a processor circuit and storage storing an initial boot software component comprising instructions operative on the processor circuit to select a first set of boot software components of multiple sets of boot software components, each set of boot software components defines a pathway that branches from the initial boot software component and that rejoins at a latter boot software component; authenticate a first boot software component of the first set of boot software components; and execute a sequence of instructions of the first boot software component to authenticate a second boot software component of the first set of boot software components to form a chain of authentication through a first pathway defined by the first set of boot software components. Other embodiments are described and claimed herein.