CVM Remote Attestation With TEE-Sealed Key Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Confidential virtual machines (CVMs) lack robust application-level measurement mechanisms and sealed data storage systems, relying on manually trusted parties for encryption key management, which prevents zero-trust deployment and compromises security in confidential computing scenarios among untrusted parties.
Innovation Solution
A zero-trust remote attestation service deployment system based on a CVM, utilizing a trusted execution environment (TEE) and a key management component to securely manage encryption keys, ensuring integrity and confidentiality without relying on third parties, by verifying trustworthiness and encrypting keys with hardware-level isolation and encryption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If CVMs rely on manually trusted parties to manage encryption keys, then deployment simplicity is improved, but security and zero-trust capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service key management where the CVM automatically generates encryption keys, stores them in sealed storage, and manages them without human intervention. The measurement mechanism automatically verifies trustworthiness and the system autonomously handles key lifecycle operations, eliminating dependency on manually trusted parties while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual key management mechanisms with automated cryptographic mechanisms. Instead of relying on human operators to securely store and manage keys, the system uses hardware-based sealed storage and automatic key generation/distribution protocols that eliminate manual intervention while enhancing security through cryptographic principles.
2Device complexity
If CVMs lack application-level measurement mechanisms, then system complexity is reduced, but trust verification capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement and verification actions during the deployment phase. The measurement mechanism captures trustworthiness attributes of the CVM environment before key generation and storage operations commence. This preliminary verification ensures that only trusted environments can proceed with key management operations, establishing trust before complexity issues arise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a measurement mechanism as an intermediary component that bridges the CVM environment and the key management system. This intermediary verifies trustworthiness attributes and enables secure key generation and storage without requiring complex manual verification processes, thus enhancing trust verification while managing complexity through automation.
3Ease of manufacture
If CVMs lack sealed data storage systems, then implementation simplicity is improved, but data confidentiality and integrity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements nested security structures where encryption keys are stored within sealed storage containers that are themselves protected by additional encryption layers. The measurement mechanism and key management operations are nested within a hierarchical security architecture that provides multiple levels of protection for data confidentiality and integrity without requiring overly complex implementation.
Data Source
AI summary
A zero-trust remote attestation service deployment system based on a confidential virtual machine (CVM) includes a trusted execution environment (TEE), a key management component, and an application service virtual machine. Leveraging the TEE technology, both application execution and storage are protected in a zero-trust state. The key management component runs in the TEE, while a service application runs in the CVM. Encryption keys of the CVM are securely stored and efficiently accessed through the TEE technology and the proposed key management component, as well as operational methods. This system enables a zero-trust service and effectively mitigates the risk of sensitive data theft caused by malicious software through memory scraping or code operation logic tampering.