Memory Protection Shim for Secure Data Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computing architectures are inadequate in addressing memory corruption vulnerabilities, particularly in industrial control systems, due to the lack of differentiation between program instructions and data storage, making them vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a memory protection shim that securely loads digital blocks into memory by receiving and decrypting a manifest with transformation keys, using these keys to validate or decrypt the digital blocks, and retransforming them using an ephemeral key to create an authentication tag or encrypt the blocks, ensuring secure consumption by the processor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If von Neumann architecture is used with unified memory storage for instructions and data, then memory access simplicity is improved, but memory security is worsened due to vulnerability to corruption and injection attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments memory into different types (instruction memory and data memory) with separate storage locations and access paths. This differentiation allows the system to maintain simplicity in each segment while improving overall security by preventing corruption between segments and eliminating injection vulnerabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different protection mechanisms and access controls to different memory segments. Instruction memory receives different protection than data memory, allowing each segment to be optimized for its specific security requirements while maintaining the benefits of unified architecture design.
2Ease of manufacture
If current perimeter defense measures (firewalls, anti-virus) are implemented, then basic security coverage is improved, but protection against hardware and software vulnerabilities is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a memory protection shim as an intermediary layer between the processor and memory. This shim intercepts and validates all memory access operations, providing deep protection against hardware and software vulnerabilities while maintaining ease of implementation through a focused security module.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary validation and protection of memory structures before they are accessed by the processor. By establishing secure memory regions and validation mechanisms in advance, the system prevents vulnerabilities from being exploited without requiring complex real-time defense mechanisms.
3Reliability
If memory protection shim with encryption and validation is implemented, then memory security is improved, but system complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The memory protection shim is designed to operate automatically without requiring manual intervention or complex configuration. The system self-manages encryption keys, validation processes, and memory protection through standardized interfaces, reducing the operational complexity burden despite the enhanced security capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal memory protection mechanism that handles multiple security functions (encryption, validation, isolation) through a single integrated shim layer. This multi-functional approach improves security comprehensively while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate security systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Securely loading digital blocks into memory for consumption by a processor. A method includes, at a memory protection shim, receiving a digital block and a manifest for the digital block. The manifest includes a transformation key for the digital block. The transformation key is configured to be used for at least one of validating the digital block or decrypting the digital block. The manifest is encrypted. The method further includes decrypting the manifest to obtain the transformation keys. The method further includes using the transformation keys to perform at least one of validating or decrypting the digital block. The method further includes retransforming the digital block using a memory protection shim ephemeral key to perform at least one of creating an authentication tag or encrypting the digital block. The method further includes storing the retransformed digital block in memory.