High Entropy Key Transfer via Trusted Device and Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing zero-knowledge architectures face challenges in securely transferring high entropy keys (machine-generated secrets) between devices without compromising security, particularly in scenarios where human memory and manual transfer are inconvenient or vulnerable to attacks.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a trusted device to generate key pairs and encrypt high entropy keys, which are then transferred to an untrusted device via a server, using ephemeral public and private keys and symmetric keys generated through key agreement algorithms, ensuring secure transfer without human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high entropy keys are transferred manually or through human memory, then security may be compromised due to vulnerabilities to attacks, but automation and convenience are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an automated key transfer system that acts as an intermediary between devices, using cryptographic protocols to securely transfer high entropy keys without human intervention. The system uses a transfer server that facilitates authenticated key exchange between source and destination devices, eliminating the need for manual transfer while maintaining security through cryptographic verification and ephemeral key pairs.
2Ease of operation
If high entropy keys are transferred through automated systems, then convenience is improved, but security may be compromised due to potential interception
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary authentication and key exchange protocols before the actual high entropy key transfer. The system establishes authenticated communication channels in advance using public key infrastructure, where devices exchange cryptographic credentials and establish secure sessions before transferring sensitive keys, preventing interception attacks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes cryptographic parameters during the transfer process, using ephemeral key pairs that are generated and discarded for each transfer session. The high entropy key is encrypted with different cryptographic parameters for each transfer, ensuring that even if one transfer is compromised, other transfers remain secure.
3Reliability
If zero-knowledge architecture is implemented, then security is improved by eliminating knowledge factors, but complexity of authentication flow increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the authentication and key transfer process into distinct modular components: device identification, public key exchange, authentication verification, and key transfer execution. Each component handles a specific aspect of the zero-knowledge authentication flow, making the overall complex process more manageable and implementable through structured software modules.
Data Source
AI summary
Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing transfer of high entropy keys. In examples, a trusted device may generate a first key pair including a first ephemeral public key and a first ephemeral private key. A camera of the trusted device may capture a graphic code displayed by an untrusted device. The trusted device may extract a second ephemeral public key from the graphic code. The trusted device may generate a first instance of a symmetric key based on the first ephemeral private key and the second ephemeral public key, and may encrypt a high entropy key with the first instance of the symmetric key. The trusted device may send the encrypted high entropy key and the first ephemeral public key to a server for transfer to the untrusted device, which may decrypt the encrypted high entropy key using a second instance of the symmetric key.