Code Signing Server Merkle Tree State Logging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hash-based signature (HBS) systems struggle to ensure the uniqueness and integrity of internal states, leading to potential reuse of states and compromising the security of one-time signatures.
Innovation Solution
A code signing server is configured to generate one-time signature key pairs based on a Merkle tree state, with a logging server maintaining an immutably ordered log to record and verify the usage of these states, ensuring non-reuse through internal and external queries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If HBS systems use internal state tracking to ensure unique one-time signatures, then signature security is improved, but system complexity increases due to state management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a logging server as an intermediary component that maintains an immutably ordered log of used Merkle tree states. This external logging mechanism offloads the burden of state uniqueness verification from the code signing server, allowing the signing server to focus on signature generation while the logging server ensures state uniqueness through persistent recording and verification capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the logging server provides verification responses to queries about state usage. Internal queries from the code signing server receive feedback about whether proposed states have been used, and external queries from clients receive feedback about signature validity. This feedback loop enables continuous verification of state uniqueness without requiring complex internal state management at the signing server.
2Reliability
If the system exposes internal state information for verification, then transparency and trustworthiness improve, but security risks increase due to potential exploitation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts sensitive internal state information from the code signing server and stores it in an immutably ordered log on a separate logging server. This extraction allows verification of state usage without exposing the actual private keys or internal state management logic. The log contains only the necessary verification data (Merkle tree state identifiers) while keeping the signing server's internal state secure and opaque.
Solution Approach 2:
The system moves state verification from the internal operational dimension to an external logging dimension. Instead of verifying states within the signing server's memory, the system persists states in an immutable log structure on a separate server, accessible through standardized query interfaces. This dimensional shift enables independent verification while maintaining security boundaries.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive logging of all signature operations is implemented, then verification capability improves, but performance decreases due to additional I/O operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary logging of Merkle tree states as they are consumed during signature generation. By recording state usage at the time of consumption rather than requiring verification at the time of signing, the system prepares verification data in advance. This preliminary action allows fast signature issuance since the logging occurs during natural state transitions, while verification can later query this pre-prepared log without performance penalty.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems enable internal and external verification of computations performed by a code signing server according to hash-based signature techniques using unique state, and further for a code signing server to expose parts of a hash-based signature log without negating the security of the one-time signature key pairs generated by the code signing server. A signing module of a code signing server receives a signing request from a client computing system. The signing module configures the code signing server to generate a one-time signature key pair based on a Merkle tree state. The signing module configures the code signing server to issue a hash-based signature to the client computing system. The code signing server is configured to record the Merkle tree state and the issued HBS in an immutably ordered log at a logging server.