Secure Boot Mechanism Using Internal Symmetric Key
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computer systems face challenges in maintaining the integrity of the boot process due to vulnerabilities in the BIOS configuration, which can be compromised by external attacks or modifications, leading to potential manipulation of the platform configuration and data integrity issues.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a static root of trust using a symmetric encryption key stored in internal non-volatile memory, which is accessed during the pre-boot phase to verify the integrity of boot data and ensure that the initialization process is tamper-resistant, thereby creating a secure chain of trust without relying on a trust center.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional BIOS configuration is used for system initialization, then the system can be easily updated and modified, but the integrity of the boot process can be compromised by external attacks or modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a preliminary action by establishing a static root of trust in the form of a symmetric encryption key stored in internal non-volatile memory before the boot process begins. This pre-established trust anchor is used to verify the integrity of boot data and subsequent system components, ensuring that only authenticated code executes during initialization. The key is made available during the pre-boot phase specifically for verification purposes, creating a security foundation before any potentially untrusted code runs.
Solution Approach 2:
The symmetric encryption key acts as an intermediary between the hardware and the software boot process. Rather than directly trusting the BIOS or boot loader, the system uses this key as a mediator to verify cryptographic signatures on boot data. This intermediary layer enables trust establishment without requiring a trust center, as the key resides locally in the CPU's non-volatile memory and is used to authenticate each component in the boot chain independently.
2Reliability
If encryption techniques are used to protect data transmission and storage, then data integrity is enhanced, but the configuration of the computer platform may still be vulnerable to attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing the symmetric encryption key in the CPU's internal non-volatile memory before any boot operations commence. This pre-established security mechanism is then used to verify the integrity of boot data through cryptographic signature validation. By performing this verification before executing any potentially malicious code, the system prevents platform configuration vulnerabilities from being exploited, as any tampering with boot components would be detected by the signature verification process.
3Reliability
If a trust center is used to manage keys for secure boot, then system security is enhanced, but the device complexity and dependency on external infrastructure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the trust management functionality from an external trust center and embeds it directly into the CPU's non-volatile memory in the form of a static root of trust. This symmetric encryption key is provisioned during manufacturing and stored securely within the processor itself, eliminating the need for continuous connection to or dependency on external key management infrastructure. The key is made available locally during the pre-boot phase for verification operations, enabling secure boot to function independently without external trust center involvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by using the locally stored symmetric encryption key to independently verify the integrity of its own boot components. Rather than relying on an external authority to validate each boot component, the system uses its embedded key to perform cryptographic signature verification autonomously. This self-verification capability allows the platform to establish and maintain its own chain of trust without external infrastructure, reducing complexity while maintaining security.
4Reliability
If the boot process is made tamper-resistant through verification mechanisms, then system integrity is improved, but the boot time and initialization complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by preparing the verification infrastructure in advance - specifically, the symmetric encryption key is already present in the CPU's non-volatile memory before boot begins, and boot data is pre-signed with cryptographic signatures. During the actual boot process, the verification mechanism simply needs to retrieve the key, compute the signature of the boot data, and compare it with the stored signature. This preliminary preparation of cryptographic materials enables fast verification without requiring complex real-time computations or external communications during the critical boot phase.
Data Source
AI summary
A CPU, a computer system and a secure boot mechanism are provided in which a symmetric encryption key may be incorporated into a non-volatile memory area of the CPU core, thereby substantially avoiding any tampering of the encryption key by external sources. Moreover, pre-boot information may be internally stored in the CPU and may be retrieved upon a reset or power-on event in order to verify a signed boot information on the basis of the internal symmetric encryption key. Furthermore, the BIOS information may be efficiently updated by generating a signature using the internal encryption key.