Pre-Signed Key Rotation for Blockchain Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cryptographic key management systems for blockchain are inefficient, inflexible, and insecure, particularly vulnerable to third-party attacks that can result in unauthorized transactions and loss of digital assets, due to difficulties in accessing cryptographic keys and lack of robust security features.
Innovation Solution
A pre-signed cryptographic rotation system that delegates permission to rotate cryptographic keys from a first user account to a second user account, allowing for efficient and secure key rotation by storing pre-signed transaction requests in accessible locations, and utilizing root hashes to prevent replay attacks and fraudulent transactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cryptographic keys are stored in cold storage locations for security, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but access speed and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the cryptographic key management into two parts: the private key remains in cold storage for security, while pre-signed transaction requests are stored in hot storage for quick access. This segmentation allows the system to maintain security while enabling fast transaction authorization without needing to access the cold storage location.
2Reliability
If cryptographic keys are stored securely in inaccessible locations, then security is improved, but flexibility in responding to attacks deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-signing transaction requests before potential security incidents occur. These pre-signed requests are stored in accessible locations, enabling the account owner to quickly respond to attacks (such as key compromise) by submitting the pre-prepared transactions without needing to access the securely stored but inaccessible private key.
3Device complexity
If conventional key management systems are used, then simplicity is maintained, but vulnerability to third-party attacks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism where pre-signed transaction requests act as mediators between the securely stored private key and the blockchain network. This intermediary approach enhances security by allowing transaction authorization without exposing the private key, while maintaining relative system simplicity through the use of standard blockchain transaction mechanisms.
4Productivity
If pre-signed transaction requests are stored in accessible locations, then access efficiency is improved, but security risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a copy of the authorization capability in the form of pre-signed transaction requests. Instead of storing the actual private key in accessible locations (which would be insecure), the system copies the necessary authorization information into pre-signed requests that can be quickly submitted. This copying approach maintains security while enabling fast transaction processing.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media that utilize pre-signed key rotation transaction requests for initiating transactions to rotate one or more cryptographic keys of a user account of a distributed digital ledger transaction network. For example, in one or more embodiments, the disclosed systems initiate a transaction to delegate a permission for rotating one or more cryptographic keys of a first user account to a second user account. Using the second user account, the disclosed systems generate and store a pre-signed key rotation transaction request. By retrieving the pre-signed key rotation transaction request from storage, the disclosed systems can initiate a key rotation transaction that exchanges the active cryptographic key of the first user account to a modified cryptographic key.