Secure VNF Bootstrapping via TEE Quote Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network virtualization technologies face challenges in ensuring the secure bootstrapping and integrity of virtual network functions (VNFs) due to the dynamic and distributed nature of virtualized network environments, which can lead to vulnerabilities and security threats.
Innovation Solution
A secure VNF bootstrapping service is implemented using a trusted execution environment (TEE) and a VNF bootstrap service (VBS) agent, where the VBS agent requests a security quote from the TEE to verify the identity and configuration of VNF instances, ensuring secure registration and operation within the NFV network architecture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If VNFs are deployed in dynamic virtualized environments with general purpose processors, then scalability and flexibility are improved, but security and integrity verification become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary security measurements during the bootstrapping phase, capturing integrity data before the VNF becomes operational. The TEE measures platform configuration registers (PCRs) and cryptographic hashes during initialization, creating a trusted baseline that can be verified later without impacting VNF performance or scalability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a TEE-based measurement and verification intermediary that sits between the VNF and the management system. This intermediary (comprising the TEE, VBS agent, and VNF manager) handles security verification tasks, isolating the security-critical operations from the dynamic VNF environment while maintaining trust
2Reliability
If traditional non-virtualized deployments are used, then security and hardware binding are improved, but scalability and dynamic deployment are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments security verification into distinct phases: initial TEE-based measurement during bootstrapping, registration with the VNF manager, and ongoing verification. This segmentation allows security to be enforced at critical transition points while maintaining the flexibility of virtualized deployments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different security mechanisms to different parts of the system: TEE-based cryptographic measurements for critical integrity verification, registration protocols for identity management, and selective verification for operational control. Each VNF can have its specific security attributes verified locally without affecting the entire NFV infrastructure
3Productivity
If VNFs are instantiated dynamically based on demand, then resource efficiency and scalability are improved, but verification of identity and configuration become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurements and captures integrity data during the VNF instantiation and bootstrapping phase, before the VNF begins processing traffic. This ensures that even dynamically deployed VNFs have their security attributes verified at the point of creation, maintaining verification capability without impacting operational resource efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the VNF manager receives verification results from the TEE and VBS agent, and can make decisions about VNF activation, traffic routing, or further verification based on this feedback. This automated feedback loop handles verification efficiently for dynamically instantiated VNFs without manual intervention
Data Source
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AI summary
Technologies for bootstrapping virtual network functions in a network functions virtualization (NFV) network architecture include a virtual network function (VNF) bootstrap service (VBS) in secure network communication with a VBS agent of a VNF instance. The VBS agent is configured to execute a secure VNF bootstrap capture protocol in the NFV network architecture. Accordingly, the VBS agent can be configured to register with the VBS via secure communications transmitted between the VBS and the VBS agent. The secure communications include transmitting a security quote from a TEE of a platform on which the VNF instance is instantiated and a security credential request to the VBS, as well as receiving a security credential in response to validating the security quote and the security credential request. Other embodiments are described and claimed.