Secure Register Dump Using Privilege-Level Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Performing a register dump in integrated circuits (ICs) poses security risks as it may reveal sensitive information such as passwords or encryption keys, which can be exploited by attackers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing hardware-implemented Privilege Level Indicators (PLIs) to check and control access to registers during a secure memory dump operation, ensuring only permitted values are output based on specified privilege levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a register dump operation is performed to analyze IC contents, then debuggability is improved, but security is worsened as sensitive data may be revealed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the register dump operation into two distinct paths: a secure path that checks privilege levels and filters sensitive registers, and an unsecured path for non-sensitive data. This segmentation allows the system to provide debuggability for non-critical registers while protecting sensitive information through the privilege level checking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces privilege level indicators (PLIs) as an intermediary mechanism between the register dump operation and the actual register contents. These PLIs act as a filtering layer that mediates access to registers, allowing the dump operation to proceed while blocking access to sensitive data based on the privilege level associated with each register.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If security measures are added to protect sensitive data during scan dump, then security is improved, but debuggability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different security characteristics to different registers based on their sensitivity. Each register is associated with a specific privilege level indicator, allowing the system to apply security measures selectively only to sensitive registers while leaving non-sensitive registers accessible for debugging purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by applying security filtering only to the extent necessary - specifically to registers marked with privilege level indicators. The secure dump operation performs privilege level checking for all registers but only blocks access to those that require protection, allowing full debuggability for non-sensitive registers while providing security where needed.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If privilege level checking is performed for each register during dump, then security is improved, but operation complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the privilege level checking operation with the existing register dump operation. The privilege level indicators are integrated into the register interface, allowing the security check to be performed as part of the normal dump process without requiring separate security verification steps or additional operational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes multiple registers, multiple hardware-implemented Privilege Level Indicators (PLIs), and one or more circuits. The registers are to store respective values. The PLIs are to specify privilege levels for accessing the respective registers. The one or more circuits are to perform a secure memory dump operation including (i) checking the PLIs of one or more of the registers and (ii) outputting the values of the registers that are permitted for outputting according to the respective PLIs.