Certificate Revocation List Key Tree Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In communication networks, especially those with large numbers of certificates like vehicular networks, the certificate revocation list becomes unmanageably large and resource-intensive due to frequent certificate changes, compromising privacy and requiring significant processing burdens.
Innovation Solution
The method involves generating a minimum key node set that covers revoked certificates, using a key tree constructed with one-way hash functions, and periodically updating the certificate revocation list with node indices and derived secret keys, allowing efficient validation and revocation without disclosing all entity certificates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a certificate authority issues tens of thousands of certificates to an entity for frequent certificate changes to protect privacy, then privacy protection is improved, but the certificate revocation list becomes unmanageably large and processing burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the set of revoked certificates into hierarchical groups based on key node relationships in a key tree structure. Instead of listing all tens of thousands of individual certificate identifiers in the CRL, the system organizes revoked certificates into parent-child relationships where a single key node can represent multiple revoked certificates, thereby segmenting the large revocation dataset into manageable hierarchical units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the certificate revocation system by constructing a key tree structure with multiple levels (root node, intermediate nodes, leaf nodes). This transforms the flat, one-dimensional CRL format into a multi-dimensional hierarchical structure where certificates are organized by their key node relationships, enabling efficient representation of large numbers of revoked certificates through path compression.
2Measurement precision
If a certificate authority lists all revoked certificates in the certificate revocation list, then certificate validity verification is accurate, but processing time and computational resources increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary organization of revoked certificates into a key tree structure before generating the CRL. By pre-computing the hierarchical relationships and identifying minimum key node sets that cover all revoked certificates, the system prepares the revocation data in an optimized format that enables faster verification without sacrificing accuracy during the actual certificate validation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential key node information from the full set of revoked certificates and includes only these compressed representations in the CRL. Instead of transmitting or storing complete certificate identifiers for all revoked certificates, the system extracts and retains only the minimum necessary key node data that enables accurate verification through hierarchical path matching.
3Reliability
If certificates are frequently changed to protect entity identity, then privacy is improved, but the frequency of certificate revocation updates increases the burden on the system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual certificate revocation operations into a single consolidated CRL update by combining revoked certificates into hierarchical key node groups. When multiple certificates are revoked, the system merges them into the key tree structure and identifies the minimum key node set that covers all revoked certificates, allowing multiple revocations to be processed and represented together in one efficient update cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The key tree structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it enables privacy protection through frequent certificate changes, supports efficient revocation management through hierarchical grouping, and provides accurate verification through path-based matching. This universal structure handles both certificate issuance and revocation operations in a unified manner, reducing the overall system burden.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for generating and revoking, as well as validating, certificates used to protect communications within networks while maintaining privacy protection. In the context of a method, certificate generation and revocation with privacy preservation comprises determining a secret value to be used by a certificate authority and an entity; constructing a key tree based on the secret value, wherein the leaves of the key tree represent derived keys for the certificates for the entity; and generating certificates for the entity based in part on the key tree leaves. The method further comprises determining that one or more of the certificates should be revoked; determining a minimum key node set that covers the certificates to be revoked; adding the minimum key node set to a certificate revocation list; and providing the certificate revocation list to one or more entities. Corresponding apparatuses and computer program products are also provided.