Secure Channel Initialization Using Low Entropy Shared Secret
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing secure channel protocols like SSL/TLS require manual initialization steps, such as certificate trust establishment, which can be costly and labor-intensive, especially when dealing with multiple system components, and may not be feasible in all technological contexts due to support limitations.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a low-entropy shared secret distributed during system component installation to establish secure channels without the need for manual certificate management, allowing system components to trust each other's certificates automatically, using SPEKE to derive high-entropy encryption and MAC keys for secure communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If SSL/TLS is used for secure communication between system components, then confidentiality and integrity are improved, but manual certificate management overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling system components to automatically establish trust relationships through peer-to-peer certificate verification. Each component generates and distributes its own certificates to other components, eliminating the need for manual administrator intervention in certificate management while maintaining secure communication through cryptographic verification.
2Reliability
If manual certificate trust establishment is performed for each system component, then authentication security is improved, but time and labor consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-distributing certificates and public keys to all system components during system deployment or initialization. This preliminary distribution establishes trust relationships in advance, so that when secure communication is needed, components can immediately verify each other's credentials without requiring manual administrator intervention, thus reducing time loss.
3Adaptability or versatility
If standard SSL/TLS protocols are used, then compatibility is improved, but additional manual administrator intervention is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling system components to automatically establish trust relationships through peer-to-peer certificate verification. Each component generates and distributes its own certificates to other components, eliminating the need for manual administrator intervention in certificate management while maintaining secure communication through cryptographic verification.
4Reliability
If certificates are distributed to all system components, then mutual authentication is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the certificate management system into independent, self-sufficient components. Each system component maintains its own certificate and public key, and independently verifies other components' credentials. This segmentation eliminates the need for a centralized certificate authority or complex distribution infrastructure, as each component autonomously manages its own authentication credentials.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for secure channel initialization transaction security between a client network element and a server network element are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method includes: choosing a random client ephemeral private key at a client network element; utilizing the client ephemeral private key and the shared secret to create a client ephemeral public key at the client network element; forwarding the client ephemeral public key in a channel initialization request to a server network element; selecting a random server ephemeral private key at the server network element; using the server ephemeral private key and the shared secret to create a server ephemeral public key at the server network element; creating a high entropy shared secret based on the client ephemeral public key and the server ephemeral private key; creating a message authentication code ‘MAC’ and encrypting a payload with the high-entropy shared secret; sending the encrypted payload and the server ephemeral public key to the client network element; utilizing the server ephemeral public key and the client ephemeral private key to derive the high-entropy shared secret; and decrypting the payload and verifying the MAC with the high-entropy shared secret.