Configurable Code Signing via Recipe-Based Atomic Operations
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing code signing systems lack flexibility in supporting new operation types, requiring code changes and full software release cycles, which delays feature implementation and leads to code duplication.
Innovation Solution
A configurable code signing system that uses a recipe-based approach, allowing system administrators to define operation types and parameters, enabling the execution of atomic operations to generate signed input images, thereby supporting new operation types without full software releases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If operation types are implemented as built-in operations of the code signing engine, then the system provides stable and reliable code signing functionality, but the system lacks flexibility in supporting new operation types and requires full software release cycles for any changes
Solution Approach 1:
The code signing engine is segmented into a core engine that handles basic signing operations and a separate recipe-based configuration layer that defines operation types. This allows new operation types to be added by creating new recipes without modifying the core engine code, eliminating the need for full software release cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
A recipe file acts as an intermediary between the core code signing engine and the operation type definitions. The recipe file contains all the configuration parameters and atomic operations needed to define an operation type, allowing flexible addition of new operation types without changing the engine itself.
2Adaptability or versatility
If operation types are implemented as built-in operations, then the system maintains code consistency, but code duplication occurs across similar operation types
Solution Approach 1:
The operation type implementation is segmented into a shared core engine and individual recipe definitions. Each recipe references common atomic operations from the core engine, eliminating code duplication while supporting multiple operation types.
Solution Approach 2:
The core code signing engine is designed with universal atomic operations that can be reused across different operation types. By defining operation types as recipes that combine these universal atomic operations, the system avoids duplicating code while maintaining support for multiple operation types.
Data Source
AI summary
A system is provided for configurably signing a secure data image that includes software code that interprets cryptographic atomic code. In the system, a code signing engine includes an interpreter that interprets atomic code signing operations presented in a recipe defined by a system administrator according to configuration parameter values supplied with the input image.