Certificate Manager Protocol for Secure Private Key Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in securely distributing a client certificate private key to client-based services while minimizing exposure to the key-encryption-key (KEK), which is used to secure the private key.
Innovation Solution
A specialized protocol is implemented that uses a certificate manager (CM) to manage the distribution of the client certificate private key. This protocol establishes a secure communication channel using a symmetric key, where the CM verifies requests from trusted client-based services and decrypts the private key without exposing the KEK to these services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the KEK is exposed to client-based services to enable them to access the private key, then the services can operate independently, but the security risk increases due to additional exposure of the master key
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a certificate manager as an intermediary component between the KEK storage and client-based services. The certificate manager holds the KEK in a secure location and provides a standardized interface for services to obtain encrypted private keys without direct access to the KEK. This mediator architecture enables service independence while preventing direct exposure of the master key to multiple services.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the key management functionality by separating the KEK storage function from the private key distribution function. The certificate manager acts as an independent module that manages both the KEK and the distribution process. This segmentation allows services to access private keys through a standardized interface without compromising the KEK, thereby reducing security risks while maintaining operational independence.
2Reliability
If the KEK is stored in a secure location and encrypted with the KEK, then the private key is protected, but the complexity of key management increases when multiple services need access
Solution Approach 1:
The certificate manager serves as a centralized intermediary that handles all key management operations for multiple services. It maintains the KEK in a secure location and provides a unified interface for services to request encrypted private keys. This mediator approach maintains strong key protection while simplifying management complexity through a single point of control and standardized procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The certificate manager is designed as a universal key management system that serves multiple client-based services simultaneously. It provides multi-functional capabilities including KEK storage, private key encryption, and service-specific key distribution through a single standardized interface. This universality reduces management complexity by consolidating multiple key management tasks into one system.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a centralized key management system is implemented, then security is improved by minimizing KEK exposure, but the system complexity increases due to additional components and protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The certificate manager acts as a dedicated intermediary component that minimizes KEK exposure by serving as a secure buffer between the KEK storage and client services. While this adds a component, it implements a well-established pattern that reduces overall system complexity by providing a standardized, reusable interface for key management across all services.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs cryptographic copying mechanisms where the certificate manager creates encrypted copies of private keys for each service using service-specific keys. This allows multiple services to have their own key copies without exposing the master KEK, reducing security risks while managing complexity through standardized cryptographic operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a system for secure distribution of a client certificate private key to client-based services. The system implements a specialized technique to minimize exposure of a key-encryption-key (KEK) that may be used to secure the client certificate private key that is managed by a certificate manager (CM). A client-based service generates a one-time secret message that is encrypted with the symmetric key and provided to the CM as part of a request to access the private key. The CM authenticates the request originates from a trusted before decrypting the private key with the KEK that remains known only to the CM. The CM then encrypts the decrypted private key with the secret message and provides the client-based service access to private key that is encrypted with the secret message.