Inventory Certificate Binding for Security Key Integrity Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing security systems in computing devices are vulnerable to unauthorized and malicious activities, such as password theft and session hijacking, due to the flexibility of allowing users to register their own security keys and the challenges in managing security key lifecycles.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of security key integrity verification using inventory certificates, which bind specific security keys to hardware devices during provisioning, involves recording identifiers in inventory certificates for validation, and requires proof of physical possession of the hardware device along with the security key, utilizing multi-factor authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users are allowed to register their own security keys, then ease of operation is improved, but security reliability deteriorates due to vulnerability to unauthorized activities
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by binding security keys to hardware devices during provisioning before the device is delivered to the user. An inventory certificate is created and stored in secure memory during this preliminary phase, establishing a trusted baseline before the device enters general use.
Solution Approach 2:
An inventory certificate acts as an intermediary between the security key and the hardware device. This certificate binds the security key identifier to the device identifier, creating a verifiable link that prevents unauthorized activities while maintaining user convenience.
2Ease of operation
If security key lifecycle management is made flexible, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complexity of security key lifecycle management is extracted from the device itself and relocated to a remote server. The device only needs to perform simple verification of inventory certificates, while the server handles the complex tasks of issuing, revoking, and managing security keys.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service capabilities where the remote server automatically manages security key lifecycles based on inventory certificate validation. This eliminates the need for manual security key management by device users while maintaining flexibility.
3Reliability
If security keys are bound to hardware devices during provisioning, then security reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Security key binding is performed as a preliminary action during the device provisioning phase, before the device is delivered to the user. This ensures that the security key is securely bound to the hardware from the outset, establishing a trusted foundation for subsequent operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of physically embedding security keys in hardware during manufacturing, the system uses cryptographic copying where security key identifiers are bound to device identifiers through inventory certificates. This allows flexible provisioning without complex hardware integration.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are provided for security key integrity verification using inventory certificates. One method comprises receiving a user request to perform an action: obtaining an inventory certificate associated with a device; extracting a security key identifier from a security key corresponding to the device; validating the security key by comparing the extracted security key identifier to a security key identifier in the inventory certificate; and authorizing a performance of the action based on a result of the comparison. A validity of the inventory certificate may be evaluated (e.g., by evaluating a signature associated with the inventory certificate). The inventory certificate may be stored in a secure memory of the device prior to a delivery of the device to a purchaser of the device.