Trusted Execution Environment Remote Authorization Mediator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Computing devices face challenges in securely managing and authorizing the use of sensitive information, such as cryptographic keys, to prevent unauthorized access and attacks that exploit trusted execution environments (TEEs) for cryptographic operations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where a TEE generates and manages cryptographic operations, controlling the rate and manner of secret key usage by validating requests and constraints, ensuring only authorized devices can access and use protected data, and using cryptographic keys for secure data encryption and authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a TEE is used to protect cryptographic keys and sensitive data, then security and confidentiality are improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to oracle attacks where attackers exploit the TEE for cryptographic operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mediator component that sits between the attacker and the TEE, controlling and filtering access to cryptographic operations. This mediator validates requests, enforces constraints on usage rates, and prevents abuse while allowing legitimate operations to proceed, thus resolving the contradiction between providing secure TEE access and preventing oracle attacks
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes parameters such as rate limits, usage constraints, and authorization levels based on the legitimacy and frequency of requests. By adjusting these parameters in real-time, the system maintains security while preventing abuse of the TEE for cryptographic operations
2Ease of operation
If remote devices are allowed to perform cryptographic operations using protected data, then functionality and convenience are improved, but unauthorized access and misuse become possible
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authorization and validation actions before allowing remote devices to access protected data. Constraints and authorization rules are established in advance, and the mediator verifies these conditions are met before permitting any cryptographic operations, thus enabling convenient remote access while preventing unauthorized use
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the mediator continuously monitors cryptographic operation requests, validates them against authorization rules, and provides immediate acceptance or rejection responses. This feedback loop ensures that only authorized remote operations are permitted while maintaining ease of operation for legitimate users
Data Source
AI summary
A trusted execution environment (TEE) of a computing device may receive an operation request requiring use of a protected data accessible only to the TEE. Responsive to receiving the operation request, the TEE may generate first data. The computing device may send the first data to a remote computing device. Responsive to sending the first data, the TEE may receive second data. The TEE may validate the second data to verify the remote computing device generated the second data. Responsive to validating the second data was generated by the remote computing device, the TEE may perform the requested operation using the protected data.