UEFI Driver Hardware Manifest for Secure Product Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current product registration methods for information handling systems are insecure, inefficient, and prone to fraud, particularly when users acquire systems from channels other than the original manufacturer, as they lack a reliable way to verify ownership and associate devices with user accounts.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a hardware-rooted, protected, and operating system-agnostic environment using a UEFI driver that verifies ownership and registration before the OS boots, by creating an inventory of hardware components and comparing it to a list of original manufacturer-installed components, and only allowing OS boot and network ID sharing if the components match, thereby ensuring secure and accurate registration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional product registration methods are used (requiring users to manually document and email proof of physical possession), then users can register their systems, but the process is insecure, time-consuming, and prone to fraud
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically creating a secure manifest of hardware components during the boot process before user interaction is required. This manifest is cryptographically signed and stored, establishing proof of system identity and ownership in advance, eliminating the need for manual documentation and email verification processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical processes (writing on sticky notes, taking photos, emailing images) with an automated electronic system that uses UEFI firmware to generate cryptographically signed manifests. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming manual steps while enhancing security through cryptographic verification
2Reliability
If manual product registration is required, then users can prove physical possession, but the process is complex and allows fraud when systems are acquired from third parties
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically generating and signing its own hardware manifest during boot. The UEFI firmware independently verifies the hardware configuration and creates a cryptographically signed record without requiring user intervention or manual verification steps, simplifying the process while ensuring accurate ownership verification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cryptographic manifest as an intermediary between the hardware system and the verification authority. This manifest serves as a trusted intermediary record that objectively proves system identity and ownership, eliminating the need for complex manual verification processes and reducing fraud opportunities
3Reliability
If the system requires previous owner confirmation for transfer, then ownership can be verified, but the process prevents legitimate users from accessing support when the previous owner is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing a cryptographic chain of custody during manufacturing and initial setup. The hardware manifest is signed with keys embedded in the system, creating preliminary proof of legitimate ownership that can be verified without requiring the previous owner's active participation in the transfer process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system provides cryptographic proof of legitimate hardware identity through the signed manifest. This feedback allows verification authorities to confirm ownership validity without requiring direct interaction with previous owners, enabling legitimate users to access support while maintaining security
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided that may be implemented to provide a hardware-rooted, protected, and operating system (OS)-agnostic environment in which designated logic (e.g., one or more software and/or firmware tools such as an OS agent) may be run to verify the ownership and/or registration of a given information handling system before the OS is booted and running, and therefore before system data (e.g., user data) is exposed. In one exemplary embodiment, the designated logic may include a unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI) driver that is protected (e.g., signed), and that runs during the system boot sequence before the OS is booted. The disclosed systems and methods may be advantageously implemented in one embodiment to allow a system user who purchases and acquires a given information handling system from a source and/or channel other than the original system manufacturer to register and/or associate the given information handling system with their manufacturer-assigned user account.