Firmware API Access Control via Digital Certificate Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information handling systems face security vulnerabilities if entities outside the manufacturing process can access firmware APIs, potentially leading to unauthorized configuration and dissemination of sensitive information.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dual authorization system using digital certificates and user credentials, with a remote access controller managing access through a certificate revocation list and a hardware security module to ensure authorized access to firmware APIs, including the use of a public key infrastructure for authentication and authorization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If firmware APIs are made accessible for configuration purposes, then system functionality and ease of operation are improved, but security vulnerabilities increase allowing unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
A certificate authority (CA) acts as an intermediary between the firmware API and requesting entities. The CA issues digital certificates that serve as mediators for authentication, allowing the firmware API to verify the identity and authorization of entities without direct exposure to potential security threats.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service authentication where entities present their own digital certificates for verification. The firmware API autonomously verifies certificates against a trusted CA, enabling automatic authorization decisions without requiring manual security management.
2Reliability
If digital certificate verification is implemented for firmware API access, then security is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The certificate verification system serves multiple functions: authentication of entity identity, authorization verification for API access, and revocation checking through CRL validation. This multi-functional approach consolidates security mechanisms into a unified framework rather than separate complex systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Digital certificates are pre-configured and registered with the firmware API before access is needed. The system performs preliminary validation by checking if requesting entities have valid certificates signed by trusted CAs, and maintains pre-computed certificate revocation lists, thereby simplifying real-time access decisions.
3Reliability
If certificate revocation lists are maintained and checked, then security reliability is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
Certificate revocation lists (CRLs) are pre-computed and stored in the firmware API before runtime verification is needed. By preparing these lists in advance during system initialization or updates, the actual API access verification process only requires simple lookup operations rather than complex real-time validation computations.
Data Source
AI summary
In one or more embodiments, one or more systems, methods, and/or processes may receive a digital signature, signed by a signing authority, for a request for utilization of an information handling system firmware application programming interface (API) of the information handling system firmware, signed based at least on information associated with a certificate signed by a certificate authority; may determine that the signing authority is authorized for the request for utilization of the information handling system firmware API; may determine that the signing authority is authorized for the request for utilization of the information handling system firmware API on a platform model of the information handling system; may determine that the certificate is not on a certificate revocation list; and may permit utilization of the information handling system firmware API.