Untrusted Orchestrator Subsystem Verification via BIOS Inventory
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Solution Overview
Problem
In information handling systems, untrusted orchestrator devices can provide unauthorized function subsystems to the operating system, as the management device lacks direct and reliable visibility and capability to verify or manage these subsystems, leading to potential security issues.
Innovation Solution
An Information Handling System (IHS) with an untrusted orchestrator device includes a processing system, memory, and a management device that generates a function subsystem detection alert, a BIOS inventory update, and a management device to determine authorization, allowing or preventing the use of function subsystems based on the inventory update, ensuring only authorized subsystems are utilized.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an untrusted orchestrator device is used to provide function subsystems to the operating system, then the functionality and versatility of the system is improved, but the security and reliability of the system deteriorates due to lack of control and verification capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a management device as an intermediary between the untrusted orchestrator and the operating system. This management device acts as a trusted mediator that verifies and controls the function subsystems provided by the orchestrator, allowing the system to maintain both the versatility benefits of the orchestrator and the security benefits of centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the management device receives information about function subsystems from the orchestrator, verifies their authenticity and licensing status, and provides control decisions back to the orchestrator. This closed-loop feedback system ensures that only authorized function subsystems are provided to the operating system.
2Reliability
If the management device attempts to directly verify function subsystems from the untrusted orchestrator, then the security control capability is improved, but the system complexity increases due to lack of direct visibility and capability
Solution Approach 1:
The management device serves as a trusted intermediary that simplifies the verification process. Instead of the operating system directly dealing with untrusted orchestrator outputs, the management device intermediates by receiving orchestrator outputs, verifying them against licensing information, and providing controlled access to verified function subsystems.
Solution Approach 2:
The management device autonomously performs verification of function subsystems using licensing information stored locally. This self-service capability allows the management device to independently verify orchestrator outputs without requiring complex external verification infrastructure, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining strong verification capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If the orchestrator is allowed to freely provide function subsystems to the operating system, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of information control increases as unauthorized subsystems may be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary verification of function subsystems before they are provided to the operating system. The management device checks licensing information and verifies authenticity in advance, ensuring that only authorized function subsystems are made available. This preliminary action prevents unauthorized information from being introduced while maintaining ease of operation for legitimate functions.
Data Source
AI summary
An untrusted orchestrator function subsystem inventory and verification system includes an untrusted orchestrator device, an operating system, a BIOS, and a management device. In response to presentation by the untrusted orchestrator device of a function subsystem to the operating system during runtime, the operating system generates a function subsystem detection alert that identifies the function subsystem. In response to the function subsystem detection alert, the BIOS generates and transmits a BIOS inventory update. The management device receives the BIOS inventory update, and determines whether the operating system is authorized to use the function subsystem at least in part based on the BIOS inventory update. If so, the management device allows the operating system to utilize the function subsystem while, if not, the management device prevents the operating system from utilizing the function subsystem.