SDK API Secret Key Injection for Secure Compile-Time Builds
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Solution Overview
Problem
The direct inclusion of a private secret key in source code during the software development process for SDKs compromises security and privacy, as it relies on the strength of the software code repository's security mechanisms, making it vulnerable to unauthorized access and data breaches.
Innovation Solution
Storing the private secret key in a keychain service accessible only via a private network and using access control mechanisms to limit access, allowing the source code to reference the key's variable name rather than its value, and injecting the key at compile time into the object code.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the private secret key is directly included in source code during software development, then the development process is simple and accessible, but security and privacy are compromised due to vulnerability in code repository security mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the private secret key from the source code and stores it separately in a keychain service. The source code only contains a reference to the key variable name, not the actual key value. This separation removes the harmful factor (key exposure in code) while maintaining ease of development through automated key injection during the build process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by storing the private secret key in the keychain service before the software build process. The key is pre-stored with access control mechanisms in place, and the build system automatically retrieves and injects the key into the object code during compilation, eliminating the need for manual key management throughout development.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the private secret key is stored in a keychain service with access control, then security is enhanced by limiting access to authorized individuals, but device complexity increases due to additional security infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a keychain service as an intermediary between the source code and the private secret key. This mediator handles all security-related operations (storage, access control, retrieval) centrally, simplifying the overall architecture. The build system interacts with the keychain service through standardized interfaces, avoiding the need for custom security implementations throughout the codebase.
Solution Approach 2:
The build system implements self-service by automatically detecting when a private secret key is needed, retrieving it from the keychain service, and injecting it into the object code without manual intervention. This automation eliminates the need for developers to manually manage key access while maintaining strong security through the keychain's access control mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the private secret key is injected at compile time into object code, then the key remains secure during distribution and execution, but the build process complexity increases due to additional compilation steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the key injection operation with the existing compilation process. The build system integrates key retrieval from the keychain service and key insertion into object code as part of the standard build workflow, combining multiple operations into a single unified process. This eliminates the need for separate post-processing steps while maintaining key integrity throughout distribution and execution.
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a technique for securing a private secret key during a software build process for a software development kit (SDK) that includes a code implementation for an application programming interface (API), where the private secret key is for use in signing the payload of an API request for the API. Consistent with examples, a keychain service stores a private secret key. In at least one source code file for a SDK, the source code includes a macro definition, which, upon executing by a compiler, obtains a value for the private secret key. In a programming shell environment, a shell script is executed. Execution of the shell script results in executing a nested script, which queries the keychain service for the private secret key. The shell script then passes the private secret key to a build script of an automated software build tool/system, which injects the private secret key into the source code file at compile time by execution of the macro, resulting in a software product capable of using the private secret key to sign or encrypt the payload of one or more API requests.