Secure Subscription Profile Download for IoT Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current subscription profile download methods for communication devices, particularly IoT devices, lack secure procedures, making them vulnerable to unauthorized subscription profile downloads from malicious MNOs or SM-DPs, especially when they cannot support HTTPS communication.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where communication devices are configured with a first authorization secret, and only download the subscription profile if the received second authorization information, generated using a second authorization secret, matches the first secret, ensuring secure and authorized profile downloads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If communication devices use traditional subscription profile download methods without authorization secrets, then the download process is simple and fast, but the system becomes vulnerable to unauthorized profile downloads from malicious MNOs or SM-DPs
Solution Approach 1:
The communication device is pre-configured with a first authorization secret before the subscription profile download process. This preliminary setup enables the device to verify the authenticity of the second authorization information received from the SM-DP+, ensuring that only authorized profiles are downloaded without requiring complex real-time authentication mechanisms during the download process.
2Reliability
If IoT devices without HTTPS capability download subscription profiles directly, then the download process remains simple, but the devices become vulnerable to unauthorized access and malicious profiles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces authorization information (second authorization information) as an intermediary element between the SM-DP+ and the IoT device. This intermediary contains cryptographic verification data that the device can process locally using its pre-configured authorization secret, providing secure authorization without requiring HTTPS capability or complex operational procedures.
3Reliability
If the system implements strict authorization verification for every subscription profile download, then unauthorized downloads are prevented, but the download process becomes more time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The first authorization secret is pre-loaded into the communication device during manufacturing or initial setup. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for time-consuming cryptographic key exchange or complex authentication protocols during the actual profile download process, as the device can quickly verify the second authorization information using the pre-stored secret.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided mechanisms for subscription profile download. A method is performed by a communication device. The communication device is configured with a first authorization secret. The method comprises receiving, as part of performing a subscription profile download procedure, second authorization information from a subscription management entity. The second authorization information is generated using a second authorization secret. The method comprises downloading the subscription profile only if the second authorization information, according to a matching criterion, matches the first authorization secret.