Secret Distribution System Using Disposable Claim Codes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sharing secrets between a client and a server often expose the secret to unauthorized parties due to the complexity of tasks, leading to varying success in maintaining privacy and integrity.
Innovation Solution
A claim code is used to request a pending secret from a secret generating system, which is transmitted securely and activated only upon confirmation of receipt by the client device, reducing the risk of duplication and exposure by invalidating the claim code after use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the secret is shared directly with the client through conventional methods (email, text message), then the client can easily receive and use the secret, but the secret becomes viewable by other people and may be duplicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a secret distribution system as an intermediary between the secret generating system and the client device. This intermediary receives a claim code from the client, requests the secret on behalf of the client, and delivers it securely. The claim code itself is designed to be publicly disclosable and easily transmitted through insecure channels, while the actual secret remains protected throughout the distribution process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the secret distribution process into distinct phases: (1) client generates and transmits claim code, (2) secret distribution system validates claim code and requests secret, (3) secret is transmitted securely to client, (4) client confirms receipt. This segmentation allows the claim code to be separated from the secret, enabling the code to be freely transmitted while the secret receives enhanced protection.
2Productivity
If the secret is transmitted through insecure communication channels, then the distribution process is simple and fast, but the secret may be intercepted or viewed by unauthorized parties
Solution Approach 1:
The secret distribution system acts as a trusted intermediary that manages the secret transmission process. It receives the claim code through insecure channels, then initiates a separate secure communication channel to transmit the actual secret. This intermediary approach allows the system to maintain simplicity in the client's interaction while ensuring security in the critical secret transmission phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The client device performs preliminary actions by generating and transmitting the claim code before the secret is actually transmitted. This preliminary claim code transmission through insecure channels does not expose the secret, allowing the system to establish the distribution process early while maintaining security for the actual secret delivery.
3Ease of operation
If the claim code is made publicly disclosable and easily transmitted, then unauthorized parties can easily obtain it, but the secret remains protected because the claim code is invalidated after use
Solution Approach 1:
The claim code is designed as a disposable, short-lived credential. Once used to request the secret, it is immediately invalidated and cannot be reused. This allows the claim code to be freely transmitted and even publicly disclosed without long-term security risks, as its utility is limited to a single use. The system treats the claim code as a temporary authorization token rather than a persistent credential.
Solution Approach 2:
The claim code's validity is dynamic rather than static. It transitions from a valid state to an invalid state immediately after being used to request the secret. This dynamic validity ensures that even if unauthorized parties obtain the claim code, they cannot use it after the legitimate client has already redeemed it, providing time-based and use-based security.
Data Source
AI summary
A secret distribution system may disclose a secret once to a client computing resource while maintaining the privacy of the message and allowing for recovery from dropped network messages. A claim code may be given to a client which may be sent to the secret distribution system, causing the secret distribution system to send a pending secret to the client. Until a client successfully confirms receipt of the pending secret or the claim code expires, the client may request new pending secrets to replace the prior unconfirmed secrets from the secret distribution system. Once a last-sent pending secret is confirmed by the client to the secret distribution system, the last-sent pending secret may be activated for use and the claim code invalidated.