Password Reset Mechanism for Secured Devices Without Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Secured electronic devices in remote environments face challenges in password reset mechanisms that maintain security without connectivity to a command and control center.
Innovation Solution
A method for generating and verifying a password reset message using a device identifier and new password, incorporating cryptographic controls to prevent replay attacks and brute force attempts, allowing authorized administrators to reset passwords securely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a password reset mechanism is implemented for secured devices in remote environments, then the ease of operation is improved, but the security is worsened due to potential unauthorized access and replay attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by generating cryptographic credentials (public/private key pairs) and provisioning them to devices before they are deployed to remote locations. This allows the devices to independently verify password reset requests without needing real-time connectivity to a central authority, enabling secure password resets while maintaining security through pre-established cryptographic trust relationships
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cryptographic intermediaries including digital certificates, signatures, and hashed password images that mediate between the administrator's password reset request and the secured device's authentication mechanism. These cryptographic intermediaries enable secure password resets by providing verifiable proof of authorization without exposing the actual password or requiring continuous connectivity to a command and control center
2Reliability
If cryptographic verification is implemented to prevent replay attacks, then the security is improved, but the device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses disposable, short-lived cryptographic tokens and one-time password reset requests that are valid only for a single use. Each password reset operation consumes a unique cryptographic credential that becomes invalid after use, preventing replay attacks without requiring complex long-term verification mechanisms. The cryptographic artifacts are designed to be computationally inexpensive to generate and verify
3Ease of operation
If password reset functionality is added to secured devices, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of information is worsened due to potential password exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the password from the password reset process by using cryptographic hash functions to create a hashed password image that is stored and verified without ever exposing the actual password. The system operates on cryptographic representations of the password rather than the password itself, eliminating the risk of password exposure during transmission, storage, or verification while maintaining the ability to reset passwords securely
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided for enabling a password reset mechanism for a secured device that verifies a digital signature on a password reset message. The password reset message has been generated by a password reset service for an authorized administrator associated with the secured device. The password reset mechanism allows the authorized administrator to make a request to the password reset service for a password reset, and receive the password reset message such that a password reset can be performed at the secured device. In this way, the secured device's password can be reset absent a connection to a command and control center or other service.