Data Center Gateway Key Storage for TLS 1.3 Debugging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Debugging and troubleshooting of encrypted data sessions become impossible with TLS 1.3 and other encryption methods using Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS), as encryption keys are dropped at the end of each session, preventing access to session content for debugging purposes.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allows a data center gateway to store encryption keys associated with a data session for later decryption and troubleshooting, enabling authorization for persistent storage of security keys when a fault is detected, specifically for HTTP sessions encrypted with TLS protocol version 1.3 or later.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS) encryption methods are used to enhance security, then security is improved, but debugging and troubleshooting capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by storing the decryption key in advance at the gateway before the session ends. When a fault is detected during the session, the system prepares the decryption key for later use, enabling post-session debugging without compromising the PFS security model during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway acts as an intermediary between the client and server, and also as a mediator for debugging purposes. It stores the decryption key locally and can decrypt recorded sessions for troubleshooting, bridging the gap between security requirements and debugging needs without requiring changes to the end systems.
2Reliability
If encryption keys are dropped at the end of each session to maintain PFS, then forward secrecy is improved, but access to session content for debugging deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the key storage behavior location-dependent. At the client and server, keys are dropped to maintain security. At the gateway, keys are stored locally for debugging purposes. This localized difference in key management allows both security and debugging requirements to be satisfied simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway creates a copy of the decryption key for storage purposes while the original key lifecycle remains unchanged at the client and server. This copying mechanism allows the session content to be accessible for debugging without affecting the forward secrecy property, as the copy is used solely for troubleshooting recorded sessions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If TLS 1.3 with PFS is implemented to prevent key compromise, then security against attacks is improved, but troubleshooting capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway serves as an intermediary that maintains decryption capability for troubleshooting without compromising the security model. It stores the necessary keys to decrypt sessions for debugging purposes while the client and server continue to use TLS 1.3 with PFS, ensuring that even if gateway storage is compromised, the end-to-end security remains intact.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by storing the decryption key at the gateway during the session establishment phase. This preliminary storage enables later troubleshooting of TLS 1.3 sessions without requiring changes to the encryption protocol itself, maintaining protection against key compromise while enabling repair capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, terminal and a data center gateway are provided for allowing efficient debugging and troubleshooting of data session encrypted with Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS) encryption techniques such as for example the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol version 1.3. Embodiments of the invention allow the user terminal to authorize a data center gateway to persistently store one or more encryption keys associated with the data session for use to access the recorded data session and troubleshooting it after the session ended, when faults are detected. When a fault is detected, the user terminal provides authorization to the gateway to persistently store the data session along with one or more encryption key(s). With this, the gateway allows for the data session to be later decrypted and faults to be investigated despite the data session being encrypted with PFS techniques.