Secure Blueprint Verification for Trusted Endpoint Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in ensuring the trustworthiness of blueprints used in endpoint devices, which can compromise the security and integrity of distributed systems due to potential compromises in orchestrators or malicious blueprints.
Innovation Solution
A framework is introduced that divides authority over endpoint devices between orchestrators and other entities, allowing for parameterized blueprints to be signed by trusted authors, with endpoint devices verifying the integrity and trustworthiness of static content before implementation, and establishing chains of delegations to authenticate the blueprint's origin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If blueprints are allowed to be executed without verification, then system operation speed is improved, but security and integrity of the distributed system deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification of blueprint authenticity and author authority before execution. Endpoint devices verify chains of delegations and cryptographic signatures in advance, ensuring that only authenticated blueprints are executed, thus maintaining both speed and security
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary verification mechanism using cryptographic signatures and chains of delegations. This intermediary layer authenticates blueprints without significantly impacting execution speed, as the verification process is designed to be efficient while ensuring security
2Ease of operation
If authority over endpoint devices is centralized in orchestrators, then ease of operation is improved, but security deteriorates due to potential orchestrator compromise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments authority by separating blueprint creation authority from execution authority. Authors create and sign blueprints, while endpoint devices independently verify the signatures and chains of delegations. This segmentation ensures that even if an orchestrator is compromised, the segmentation of authority prevents complete system compromise
Solution Approach 2:
Endpoint devices perform self-verification of blueprint authenticity using cryptographic primitives. Each device independently verifies chains of delegations and signatures without relying solely on orchestrator trust, enabling security verification to be self-service rather than orchestrator-dependent
3Reliability
If blueprint verification processes are implemented, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex trust verification mechanisms with cryptographic primitives. Instead of complex mechanical or procedural verification systems, the solution uses digital signatures, hash functions, and cryptographic key pairs, which can be verified through well-defined mathematical operations, thus improving security while managing complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for managing endpoint devices are disclosed. The endpoint devices may be managed by verifying blueprints and authors of blueprints prior to use. To verify the blueprints, the blueprints may be normalized to reduce variability in blueprint content. Once normalized, static content may be identified. Signatures from the blueprints may be used to attempt to verify the integrity of the static content. If successfully verified, then both the static and dynamic content from the blueprints may be trusted. The authority of authors of the blueprints may be verified by attempt to establish chains of delegation of authority to the authors. If successfully verified, then the blueprints may be used to update operation of the endpoint devices.