Password-Protected PFX Key Pair Storage for Secure Software Signing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Software developers face challenges in trusting and securely managing private keys for digitally signing code, especially when sharing among team members, as existing methods are complex and prone to key loss or theft, and there is a need for a reliable method to verify software authenticity over the internet.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for securely storing and managing private keys using a password-protected, encrypted key pair file in a cryptographic store, allowing for easy sharing and minimizing risks of key loss or theft, by creating a private/public key pair, persisting it in a PFX file, and using a unique hash for naming the key pair, with features for digitally signing software code and integrating with development tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If private keys are stored locally and shared among team members, then developers can access and use the keys for signing code, but the risk of key loss or theft increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a password-protected container file as an intermediary between the private key and the developers. The private key is encrypted within this container, which can be securely distributed to team members. The password acts as a mediator that controls access without exposing the actual key, thus maintaining security while enabling shared accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of sharing the actual private key file directly, the patent creates and distributes a copy of the key pair embedded in a password-protected container. This allows multiple developers to have access to the same key material without transmitting the unprotected key itself, reducing the risk of key theft while maintaining operational accessibility.
2Reliability
If private keys are digitally signed into software, then software authenticity can be verified, but the complexity of key management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the private key with the software assembly during the signing process. The signed assembly contains embedded information about the key, allowing verification without requiring separate key management infrastructure. This integration reduces the complexity of distributing and managing keys across the development team while maintaining authenticity verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary digital signing of the software assembly with the private key before distribution. This preliminary action embeds the cryptographic verification data directly into the assembly, so that authenticity can be verified later without requiring access to the original private key or complex key management systems.
3Reliability
If password protection is used for key pair files, then security is improved, but repeated password prompts slow down development workflow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary decryption of the password-protected container file and loads the private key into memory during the initial signing operation. Once loaded, the key remains accessible in memory for subsequent signing operations without requiring repeated password entry, thus maintaining security through initial password protection while improving workflow speed for subsequent operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for using private keys in software development that minimizes the risks of the private key being lost or stolen. A strong name consists of the assembly's identity, e.g., its simple text name, version number, and culture information (if provided), plus a public key and a digital signature. It is generated from an assembly file using the corresponding private key. The private/public key pair is persisting in a password-encrypted file using a standard encryption format that can be made available to everyone. The first time any subsystem of the development environment requires use of the private key contained in an encrypted file format, the developer is prompted to provide the password to decrypt the key. The user supplies the password and the public/private key is imported into a non-exportable key container in the local cryptographic store.