Vehicle Control Module Security Credential Programming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for provisioning vehicle control modules with security credentials are inefficient and insecure, often causing delays and risks of private key exposure during the manufacturing process, particularly in vehicle-to-vehicle communication protocols that require frequent updates and secure key management.
Innovation Solution
A security credential programming system that powers on security processor chips before incorporation into vehicle control modules, generates private/public key pairs, and transmits public keys to a vehicle manufacturer data center, where signed public certificates are created and returned, ensuring only the security processor chips have access to private keys, thus preventing external exposure and assembly line delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If security credentials are provisioned during vehicle assembly, then security credentials are provided to vehicle control modules, but production line delays occur and private key exposure risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by provisioning security credentials to vehicle control modules before they are installed in vehicles. The modules are pre-programmed with security credentials at the module manufacturing stage, allowing the vehicle assembly line to proceed without waiting for credential provisioning, thus eliminating production delays while maintaining security integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the security credential provisioning process from the vehicle assembly process. By separating these operations in time and space, the module can be prepared independently with its security credentials before being integrated into the vehicle, preventing the assembly line from being blocked by credential provisioning activities
2Reliability
If security credentials are provisioned during vehicle assembly, then security credentials are provided to vehicle control modules, but private key exposure risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the private key generation and storage process from the vehicle assembly environment. Private keys are generated and stored within the security processor of the control module during module manufacturing, in a controlled secure environment. The private keys never leave the security processor, eliminating exposure risks associated with transmission and handling during vehicle assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach where the security processor acts as a secure intermediary that generates and manages private keys internally. The private keys are never exposed to external systems or personnel during the provisioning process, as the security processor mediates all cryptographic operations while maintaining strict confidentiality of the private keys
3Reliability
If public certificates are updated frequently for V2V communication, then communication security is maintained, but credential management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling frequent updates of public certificates in the vehicle control modules without increasing management complexity. The modules are designed to dynamically accept and implement new credential packages, allowing public certificates to be updated regularly for V2V communication security while the underlying module infrastructure remains stable and manageable
Data Source
AI summary
A supplier network device is provided and includes a supplier processor and memory that stores a credential package including information for a chip or a vehicle control module (VCM). The supplier processor: receives ID and signature public keys from the chip, where the ID and signature public keys correspond respectively to private keys stored in the chip; transmit the ID and signature public keys to a certificate authority processor of a vehicle manufacturer data center; and receive the credential package including signing certificates from the certificate authority processor prior to assembling the VCM. The supplier processor: reads the ID public key from the VCM subsequent to incorporating the chip in the VCM; identifies the credential package based on the ID public key; and based on the identifying of the credential package, programs the VCM with the signing certificates prior to installation of the vehicle control module in a vehicle.