Vehicle On-Board Software Mitigation via Secure Communication Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting and mitigating software manipulation in vehicle components are time-consuming and disruptive, often requiring physical intervention or remote software updates, which can lead to operational disruptions and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that analyzes secured communications between vehicle components and a central device within the on-board network to identify software manipulation, enabling immediate countermeasures to be initiated and mitigating the manipulation without the need for physical intervention or remote updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If software manipulation is detected using existing methods (workshop reset or remote software update), then the manipulation can be remediated, but the process takes considerable time and causes operational disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent stores multiple software versions (current software, updated software, and fallback software) in advance within the vehicle's memory. When manipulation is detected, the system can immediately switch to a pre-stored safe version without waiting for external intervention, thus resolving the time delay between detection and mitigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle's control device autonomously detects software manipulation through cryptographic verification and automatically mitigates it by switching to a pre-stored safe software version. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external workshop intervention or remote updates, enabling immediate remediation without operational disruption.
2Reliability
If software manipulation is mitigated through physical intervention or remote updates, then the manipulation is remediated, but vehicle operation is disrupted and safety criteria may not be met
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple software versions are prepared and stored in advance within the vehicle's memory system. When manipulation is detected, the system immediately switches to a pre-stored safe version, ensuring continuous operation without disruption and maintaining safety criteria throughout the remediation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains backup software versions (updated software and fallback software) as a cushion against potential manipulation or failures. This pre-prepared redundancy ensures that if manipulation is detected, the vehicle can immediately switch to a safe state without operational disruption or safety compromise.
3Device complexity
If communication between components and central device is not secured, then the system is simpler, but the communication can be intercepted or manipulated by intruders
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cryptographic verification mechanism as an intermediary layer between components and the central device. Each software update and communication is verified through cryptographic signatures, ensuring integrity and authenticity. This intermediary security layer protects against interception and manipulation while maintaining systematic organization.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method. The method comprises analyzing a communication, secured by one or more cryptographic methods, between a first component of a plurality of components of an on-board network of a vehicle and a central device for mitigating a software manipulation. The central device for mitigating a manipulation is part of the on-board network and is designed for software mitigation in each of the plurality of components of the on-board network. The method further comprises identifying the possibility of a manipulation of the software of the first component in the central device for mitigating a software manipulation, based on the analysis of the communication, and initiating a countermeasure to mitigate the manipulation of the software of the first component by way of the central device for mitigating a manipulation.