Reconfigurable trusted computing in hardware

Thomas Eisenbarth, Tim Güneysu, Christof Paar, Ahmad-Reza Sadeghi, Dries Schellekens, Marko Wolf

Abstract

Trusted Computing (TC) is an emerging technology towards building trustworthy computing platforms. The TrustedComputing Group (TCG) has proposed several specifications to implement TC functionalities by extensions to common computing platforms, particularly the underlying hardware with a Trusted Platform Module (TPM).

However, actual TPMs are mostly available for workstations and servers nowadays and rather for specific domainapplications and not primarily for embedded systems. Further, the TPM specifications are becoming monolithic andmore complex while the applications demand a scalable and flexible usage of TPM functionalities.

In this paper we propose a reconfigurable (hardware) architecture with TC functionalities where we focus on TPMsas proposed by the TCG specifically designed for embedded platforms. Our approach allows for (i) an efficient andscalable design and update of TPM functionalities, in particular for hardware-based crypto engines and accelerators, (ii) establishing a minimal trusted computing base in hardware, (iii) including the TPM as well as its functionalities into the chain of trust that enables to bind sensitive data to the underlying reconfigurable hardware, and (iv) designing a manufacturer independent TPM. We discuss possible implementations based on current FPGAs and point out the associated challenges, in particular with respect to protection of the internal TPM state since it must not be subject to manipulation, replay, and cloning
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 2nd ACM Workshop on Scalable Trusted Computing, STC 2007, Alexandria, VA, USA, November 2, 2007
Number of pages6
PublisherACM
Publication date02.11.2007
Pages15-20
ISBN (Print)978-1-59593-888-6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 02.11.2007
EventSTC '07 Proceedings of the 2007 ACM workshop on Scalable trusted computing
- Alexandria, United States
Duration: 02.11.200702.11.2007

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