CRL Manager for Virtualization Certificate Revocation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In a virtualization environment, managing Certificate Revocation Lists (CRLs) is complex due to the need for frequent updates, large file sizes, and varying protocols, leading to delays and configuration challenges for certificate relying parties, which compromises security and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A certificate revocation list manager is implemented within the virtual machine monitor to store and manage CRLs, allowing relying parties to request revocation status checks without direct access to PKI repositories, using Virtio technology for communication and periodic updates to reduce delays and simplify configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If certificate relying parties directly access PKI repositories to download CRL files, then they can obtain revocation status information, but it causes delays due to network access requirements and complex configuration of multiple network protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a CRL manager as an intermediary component that runs inside the virtual machine monitor. This manager handles all CRL file downloads and management tasks, eliminating the need for certificate relying parties to directly access PKI repositories. The intermediary abstracts away the network access complexity and provides unified interfaces for obtaining revocation status information.
Solution Approach 2:
The CRL manager automatically handles CRL file downloads, updates, and management without requiring manual configuration or intervention from certificate relying parties. The system performs self-service operations including automatic CRL retrieval from PKI repositories, validation of certificate revocation status, and provision of this information to relying parties through standardized interfaces.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple network access protocols are supported for CRL retrieval, then adaptability to different PKI systems is improved, but device complexity and configuration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The CRL manager implements universal functionality to handle multiple PKI repository protocols (HTTP, HTTPS, LDAP, etc.) through a unified architecture. Instead of requiring separate configurations for each protocol, the system provides a single interface that can retrieve CRL files from different protocol-based repositories, abstracting away the protocol-specific complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The CRL manager acts as an intermediary layer between certificate relying parties and diverse PKI repositories. It handles protocol translation and communication details internally, presenting a simplified unified interface to relying parties. This mediator approach allows support for multiple protocols without exposing their complexity to the applications.
3Reliability
If CRL files are frequently updated to reflect latest revocation status, then security is improved, but file sizes increase and management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The CRL manager performs preliminary actions by pre-downloading and caching CRL files when needed, rather than retrieving them on-demand during certificate verification. This advance preparation reduces the frequency of network requests and allows for more efficient management of revocation status information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic updates of CRL files based on configured intervals or triggered by CA publications. Instead of continuous updates, the manager checks for new CRL versions at scheduled intervals, balancing security requirements with management overhead and network traffic considerations.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a method and a system for checking revocation status of digital certificates in a virtualization environment. The method includes: 1) Setting up multiple virtual machines in a host computer; setting up a certificate revocation list manager within the virtual machine monitor of the host computer; 2) The certificates relying party in the virtual machines sends a service request for checking certificate revocation status to the certificate revocation list manager; 3) The certificate revocation list manager searches locally for the CRL file corresponding to the service request for checking certificate revocation status: a) If such a corresponding CRL file exists, the CRL file is returned to the certificate relying party in the virtual machines; or, the certificate revocation list manager checks whether the corresponding certificate serial number exists in the CRL file, then returns the result; b) if the corresponding CRL file does not exist, the corresponding CRL file is downloaded and verified according to the configuration file; then the CRL file is returned to the certificate relying party in the virtual machines; or, the certificate revocation list manager checks whether the corresponding certificate serial number exists in the CRL file, then returns the result. The present invention greatly improves the efficiency of checking revocation status of certificates.