Signed Blueprint Verification for Trusted Endpoint Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in securely managing endpoint devices within distributed systems, as orchestrators can compromise the integrity of blueprints, posing a risk to the endpoint devices.
Innovation Solution
A framework is introduced that divides authority over endpoint devices between orchestrators and other entities, using signed blueprints with static content verified by endpoint devices to ensure integrity and trust, thereby reducing the likelihood of compromise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If orchestrators have full authority to manage endpoint devices and customize blueprints, then system flexibility and ease of operation are improved, but security and integrity of endpoint devices deteriorate due to potential compromise
Solution Approach 1:
The blueprint is divided into static content (signed by author) and dynamic content (customized by orchestrator). The static content contains verified instructions while dynamic content allows operational flexibility. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling orchestrator control over dynamic parameters while protecting critical static instructions from compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
A digital signature mechanism acts as an intermediary between the blueprint author and the endpoint device. The signature verifies the integrity of static content without requiring the orchestrator to have full trust authority. This intermediary enables secure operation by validating content provenance while allowing orchestrator customization of non-critical parameters.
2Reliability
If static content is digitally signed to ensure integrity, then security and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases due to verification processes
Solution Approach 1:
The endpoint device performs self-verification of the digital signature on received blueprints using public key cryptography. This self-service approach enables integrity verification without requiring external validation infrastructure, resolving the contradiction by providing reliable verification while minimizing additional system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The public key used for verification is a copy of the private key's counterpart, distributed beforehand to endpoint devices. This copying mechanism enables simplified verification processes, as devices only need to verify against the public key rather than implementing complex cryptographic protocols, thus improving reliability while controlling complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic content is allowed in blueprints for customization, then adaptability is improved, but security risk increases due to potential malicious modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The blueprint is segmented into static content (cryptographically signed) and dynamic content (orchestrator-customizable). This segmentation allows adaptability through dynamic content while maintaining security through signed static content, resolving the contradiction by isolating customization to non-critical parameters and protecting critical instructions from modification.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the blueprint have different security requirements. Static content requiring high integrity is digitally signed, while dynamic content allowing flexibility is left unsigned but constrained by the signed portion. This local quality approach resolves the contradiction by applying security measures only where necessary, enabling adaptability without compromising overall security.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for managing endpoint devices are disclosed. The endpoint devices may be managed by verifying 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 used to update the operation of the endpoint devices.