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this post was submitted on 07 Feb 2024
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I thought the point of the TPM was that the keys would be kept internally to the TPM at all times and that any data lanes would only be used for transferring payload. Why are they sending keys between the TPM and the CPU?
There are some functions like that, like Passkey signing. For Bitlocker, the encryption/decryption key is transferred to the CPU (and RAM) in order for it to operate. The problem described here has been around for a while, but putting it on a key like that makes the attack method available to "everyone". There has been a solution for a while too: 1) put in pre-boot Bitlocker PIN, and 2) use integrated TPM like the article mentions.
Because the CPU has to decrypt the bulk of the data coming from the disc. And it needs a key to do that. Unless we route all traffic through the TPM to decrypt the disc. The CPU needs a key to do that
Surely some smart key exchange algorithm could be used for that, e.g. the CPU provides a public key to the TPM and the TPM encrypts the symmetric disk key with that public key. Similar to how TLS works.
The private key would have to stored in clear text somewhere. Potentially if you had non volatile space on cpu that to store the private key, that might work. But if you’re going to do that, might as well just use an ftpm.
Right and not to mention pairing the cpu and tpm for key exchange to avoid mitm attacks...
Why not store it directly in the TPM, if that's the device that will do that initial decryption?
You can't do that since vulnerability is the connection between the TPM and the CPU, you need to encrypt that path.
The TPM comes out from the factory with a private key stored in it. The CPU has the public key.
You turn on the laptop for the first time, and the communication between the CPU and the TPM is encrypted from the start.
That's what I'm referring to. Can't this be done? I'm guessing it's not that easy because I'm sure computer designers have already considered this idea.
Pretty sure they meant if you need to keep a persistent public/private pair you can keep them in the tpm and initiate the exchange from there
That's correct. I'm guessing if it hasn't been implemented yet, then there is some technical roadblock I'm currently missing.
Just generate one anew. You don't need to use the same one each time
What do you mean by that? Generate a new private/public key pair every time you setup a new TPM? Or when you boot the system or something?
On each connection. Or boot. Whenever you need
Edit: to be clear, this would still be vulnerable to mitm attacks without a user entered password on top but at least you can't just read the secrets from the bus. E2: And having a password wouldn't be fully secure without such a scheme neither