Multi-Component Blueprint Digital Signatures for Endpoint Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in securely managing and verifying the integrity of blueprints used to operate endpoint devices in distributed systems, particularly when orchestrators may be compromised, leading to potential attacks and compromises of endpoint devices.
Innovation Solution
A framework is introduced that divides authority over endpoint devices between orchestrators and blueprint authors, using parameterized blueprints with integrity verification data and signatures to ensure static content integrity, allowing devices to verify and accept or reject blueprint portions before execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single orchestrator controls all blueprint management, then system operation is simplified, but security and reliability deteriorate due to potential compromise
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments blueprint management authority between multiple orchestrators and device authors. Each orchestrator can only manage specific devices or functions, and device authors retain control over device-specific configurations. This segmentation ensures that compromise of one orchestrator does not affect the entire system, resolving the contradiction between simplified management and security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces device authors as intermediary entities between orchestrators and endpoint devices. Device authors verify and sign blueprints before they are applied to devices, adding a security layer that maintains operational simplicity while preventing unauthorized or malicious blueprint deployment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If blueprints are made parameterized and customizable, then adaptability improves, but integrity verification becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs integrity verification in advance by having device authors sign blueprints before they are deployed to devices. The verification process is automated and built into the deployment workflow, so while customization is allowed, the complexity of verification is managed through pre-established cryptographic protocols and automated validation mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If full blueprints are distributed to all devices, then ease of operation improves, but security deteriorates due to increased attack surface
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments blueprint distribution by allowing each orchestrator to manage only specific devices or functions. Device authors receive and verify only the portions of blueprints relevant to their specific devices. This selective distribution maintains ease of operation for authorized deployments while minimizing the attack surface by preventing unauthorized access to other devices' configuration data.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for managing endpoint devices are disclosed. The endpoint devices may be managed by verifying portions of customized blueprints prior to use. To verify the portions of the customized blueprints, the portions of the customized blueprints may be normalized to reduce variability in blueprint content. Once normalized, static content may be identified. Signatures from the portions of the customized blueprints may be used to attempt to verify the integrity of integrity data for the static content. If successfully verified, then the integrity may be used to attempt to verify the integrity of the static content. If the integrity of the static content is verified, then both the static and dynamic content from the portion of the blueprints may be used to update the operation of the endpoint devices.