Enclave-Based Role Credential Security in Virtual Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
In virtualized computing environments, ensuring the security of role credentials across multiple guest virtual machines instantiated on shared physical host machines is complex and resource-intensive, as existing methods require cumbersome IP address whitelisting and lack robust protection against credential misappropriation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an enclave, a secure storage area generated specifically for each virtual machine instance, which stores and decrypts encrypted role credentials using instance-specific keys, ensuring that credentials are only accessible within the instance and providing an additional layer of protection even if the instance is compromised.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If IP address whitelisting is used to secure credentials, then credential security is improved, but device complexity and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the credential protection mechanism by introducing enclave-specific keys that are unique to each enclave instance. This segmentation allows credentials to be protected at the enclave level rather than requiring system-wide IP address whitelisting, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary decryption mechanism where enclave-specific keys act as mediators between the credentials and the enclave. This intermediary layer eliminates the need for direct IP address validation, reducing the complexity of credential access control while maintaining security through cryptographic protection.
2Reliability
If IP address whitelisting is implemented, then credential misappropriation is reduced, but computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-generating enclave-specific keys during enclave creation and pre-encrypting credentials with these keys before storage. This preliminary cryptographic preparation eliminates the need for runtime IP address validation computations, reducing computational resource usage while maintaining protection against credential misappropriation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical IP address validation system with a cryptographic substitution mechanism. Instead of computationally intensive IP address checking at runtime, the system uses enclave-specific keys and encryption/decryption operations, which are more efficient and provide stronger security guarantees against credential misappropriation.
3Ease of operation
If credentials are stored without encryption, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling enclaves to automatically decrypt their own credentials using enclave-specific keys stored within the enclave. This self-service decryption mechanism maintains ease of operation for authorized enclaves while providing strong security, as the decryption capability is inherently bound to the enclave's identity and cannot be misused by unauthorized entities.
Data Source
AI summary
A customer in a computing resource provider environment launches a virtual machine with an associated role. A key is generated that is specific to the instance and the role. An enclave is generated specifically for the virtual machine to securely store the key such that the virtual machine uses the enclave to sign requests pursuant to the role to access one or more web services in the environment.