Abstract: Methods, apparatus and machine-readable medium are described that attempt to protect secrets from sleep attacks. In some embodiments, the secrets are encrypted and a security enhanced environment dismantled prior to entering a sleep state. Some embodiments further re-establish a security enhanced environment and decrypt the secrets in response to a wake event.

Abstract: A method and platform for maintaining the security of output data in an isolated execution environment. A system memory has an isolated output area readable only by secure output controllers having an isolated execution mode. The output controllers may make a request for access to the isolated output area, upon proper authentication if the request access is granted. The output device may either DMA the content of the isolated output area to an output end point, such as a display, or load it into local storage, the security of which is guaranteed by the controller.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and machine readable medium are described for creating and using protected key blobs that require a particular portable token be present before use of the key or keys of the protected key blob is granted. Such protected key blobs may be used to establish a level of trust between a local user and the computing device.

Abstract: An authenticated code module comprises a value that attests to the authenticity of the module. The value is encrypted with a key corresponding to a key of a computing device that is to execute the module.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of attestation involves a special mode of operation. The method comprises storing an audit log within protected memory of a platform. The audit log is a listing of data representing one or more software modules loaded into the platform. The audit log is retrieved from the protected memory in response to receiving an attestation request. Then, the retrieved audit log is digitally signed to produce a digital signature in response to the attestation request.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a root of trust for measurement (RTM) module coupled to a verified platform security property policy module and a comparison module. The comparison module may operate to prevent transfer of control to an operating system (and/or halt the boot process) if a policy included in the platform security property policy module is violated. A system may include a memory coupled to a processor, a platform security property policy module, and a comparison module. The memory may include an RTM. A method may include beginning execution at an entry point within an RTM, determining that the RTM is trustworthy, determining that a main initialization code associated with a platform is trustworthy and transferring control to the main initialization code, and otherwise, refraining from transferring control to the main initialization code.

Abstract: In general, one embodiment of the invention features a method comprising operations performed internally within a device. A first operation involves generating data for permanent storage in a protected area of internal memory of the device. This prevents subsequent modification of the data. A second operation involves producing a secret value being a combination of both the data and a short term value generated in response to a periodic event such as a power-up sequence of a platform employing the device.

Abstract: In general, a method of securely transmitting data features an operation of authenticating a user of a platform during a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) boot process. In response to authenticating the user, a first keying material is released from a token communicatively coupled to the platform. The first keying material is combined with a second keying material internally stored within the platform in order to produce a combination key. This combination key is used to decrypt a second BIOS area to recover a second segment of BIOS code.

Abstract: Credentials may by issued to virtual tokens of a computing device based upon a credential issued to physical token of the computing device thus tying the virtual token credential to the physical token credential.

Abstract: One embodiment of present invention is a method for preventing the modification of a primary pass-phrase of an electronic system. Access to stored information such as a primary pass-phrase is disabled despite assertion of an override pin of an integrated circuit device of the electronic device when an override disable pin of the integrated circuit device is asserted prior to assertion of the override pin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to communicate with a token using a previously reserved binary number in the start field of a cycle, wherein the cycle is not echoed on any bus other than the bus through which the communication is received.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for initiating secure operations in a microprocessor system is described. In one embodiment, one initiating logical processor initiates the process by halting the execution of the other logical processors, and then loading initialization and secure virtual machine monitor software into memory. The initiating processor then loads the initialization software into secure memory for authentication and execution. The initialization software then authenticates and registers the secure virtual machine monitor software prior to secure system operations.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises generating a cryptographic key pair associated with a data center. The method also includes storing a private key of the cryptographic key pair within a platform. The private key is used to sign a value stored in the platform for validation of inclusion of the platform into the data center. In an embodiment, the private key is revoked upon determining that the platform has been compromised. In one embodiment, the private key may be revoked in each of the platforms of the data center.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for resetting and modifying special registers in a security token is described. In one embodiment, a register may be reset when a reset flag is true when a special transmission on a bus demonstrates the mutual locality of the associated processor and chipset. A modify flag may also be used to indicate whether the register contents may be modified. Modifications may also be dependent upon demonstration of mutual locality.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of remote attestation for a special mode of operation. The method comprises storing an audit log within protected memory of a platform. The audit log is a listing of data representing each of a plurality of IsoX software modules loaded into the platform. The audit log is retrieved from the protected memory in response to receiving a remote attestation request from a remotely located platform. Then, the retrieved audit log is digitally signed to produce a digital signature for transfer to the remotely located platform.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a platform comprises a processor, an input/output control hub (ICH), and a trusted platform module (TPM). Coupled to the ICH, the TPM comprises an internal memory, and an asymmetric key generation unit. The symmetric key generation unit produces an ephemeral asymmetric key pair including an ephemeral asymmetric public key and an ephemeral asymmetric private key. Both the ephemeral asymmetric public key and the ephemeral asymmetric private key are used for encryption and decryption operations during a single communications session.

Abstract: An integrity signature may provide information about a platform used to create a digital signature. The value of a digital signature may be related to the integrity and trustworthiness of the platform on which it is created. Signed platform integrity information provides a measure of trust regarding the platform used to create the digital signature. The integrity signature may be created separately from a document signature, or a combined integrity and document signature may be provided.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and machine readable medium are described for creating and using protected key blobs that require a particular portable token be present before use of the key or keys of the protected key blob is granted. Such protected key blobs may be used to establish a level of trust between a local user and the computing device.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and machine readable medium are described that prevent successfully launching a trusted environment without providing the computing device with an appropriate portable token. In one embodiment, the computing device stores information on the portable token that is required in order to launch the trusted environment. In another embodiment, information that is required to launch the trusted environment is encrypted with a key that has been sealed to a portable token. Accordingly, the required information may only be decoded if the portable token is present.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an integrated circuit device comprises a trusted platform module and a boot block memory unit covered by a common package. The boot block memory unit is in communication with the trusted platform module and provides boot information to the trusted platform module. An example of the boot information includes a boot block code.