Computing Device Debug Interfaces Using Persistent Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing debugging interfaces in computing devices are insecure, allowing unauthorized access and requiring burdensome repeated authentication during debug sessions, which hinders efficient field diagnostics and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a secure authentication process that persists debug authorization after successful authentication, allowing access without repeated challenges during device resets, using hardware security circuitry and a challenge-response mechanism with persistent authentication status in non-editable memory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If repeated authentication is required during device resets, then security is maintained, but operational efficiency and ease of use deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs authentication in advance before the debug session begins, storing the authentication status in non-volatile memory. This preliminary authentication action eliminates the need for repeated authentication during device resets, as the authenticated state is preserved across reset operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous authentication status through device resets by storing the authenticated state in non-volatile memory. This ensures that once authenticated, the debug interface remains accessible without requiring re-authentication, providing continuous useful action during the debug session.
2Stability of the object's composition
If authentication status is stored in volatile memory, then memory simplicity is maintained, but persistence across device resets is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the authentication status storage requirement from volatile memory and places it in non-volatile memory. This extraction ensures persistence across device resets while maintaining a simple overall memory structure, as only the critical persistence requirement is moved to non-volatile storage.
3Ease of operation
If debug interface is made accessible to all users, then ease of operation is improved, but security and protection against unauthorized access deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs authentication as a preliminary action before allowing access to the debug interface. This ensures that only authorized users can access the interface, while authenticated users experience seamless access without repeated challenges during device resets.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatus, articles of manufacture, and methods are described to manage debugging interfaces of computing device. An example apparatus includes first memory configured to store a debug authentication status; a processor; second memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to: check the debug authentication status in the first memory; perform an authentication procedure in response to determining that the debug authentication status stored in the first memory does not indicate that debug is allowed; and set the debug authentication status in the first memory to indicate that debug is allowed in response to a successful performance of the authentication procedure.