Encrypted Credential File Integrity Verification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In computer systems, managing credentials for executing instructions is cumbersome, especially when password rotation is required, as existing methods either necessitate recompiling applications or expose passwords in plain text, posing security risks.
Innovation Solution
An encrypted file is decrypted to obtain a hash value for a credentials setting component, with a test hash verifying the integrity before decrypting credentials, which are then passed to set credentials securely without exposing them in plain text, allowing for dynamic password changes without recompilation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If credentials are written into an application, then credentials can be securely stored, but the application must be recompiled every time credentials change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts credentials from the application binary and stores them separately in an encrypted file. The application no longer contains hardcoded credentials, instead it references the external credential file at runtime. This allows credential updates without application recompilation while maintaining security through encryption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary encrypted credential file that mediates between the application and the actual credentials. The application interacts with the encrypted file through a standardized interface, allowing credential changes without modifying the application code or requiring recompilation.
2Productivity
If credentials are written into a script, then credentials can be updated without recompilation, but credentials are exposed in plain text
Solution Approach 1:
The patent takes the flexibility of script-based credential storage (easy updates) and combines it with encryption to eliminate the security vulnerability. The encrypted credential file provides both update efficiency and security, converting the harmful plain-text exposure into a secure encrypted format that can be dynamically updated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state of credentials from plain text to encrypted form. The credential storage mechanism transitions from unencrypted script variables to encrypted file format, maintaining the ability to update credentials dynamically while transforming the security characteristics to eliminate plain-text exposure.
3Reliability
If passwords are changed periodically, then security is improved, but the time required for credential management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated credential management where the system automatically handles encryption, decryption, and validation of credentials. The application automatically retrieves updated credentials from the encrypted file without manual intervention, enabling periodic password changes to be handled automatically by the system rather than requiring manual management time.
Data Source
AI summary
An encrypted file is decrypted to gain access to a stored hash value for a credentials setting component. A test hash value of the credentials setting component is formed. Before decrypting a set of encrypted credentials to form decrypted credentials, it is required that the test hash value of the credentials setting component match the stored hash value of the credentials setting component. The decrypted credentials are then passed to the credentials setting component to set credentials that instructions are to be executed under.