Method for detecting the use of unauthorized security credentials in connected vehicles

• US 10,530,816 B2
• Filed: 05/18/2017
• Issued: 01/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NIO Technology Company Limited (NIO, Inc. (China))
• Original Assignee: Nio Usa Inc. (NIO, Inc. (China))
• Inventors: Chen, Abraham T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiang, Jason
• Application Number:
  US15/599,256
• Publication Number:
  US 20180337957A1
• Time in Patent Office: 964 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/33 using certificates
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/85 interconnection devices, e.g. bus-connected or in-line devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/80 Wireless network architectures or network communication protocols for wireless network security H04W12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/84 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/06 for supporting key management in a packet data network cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key management H04L9/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/205 involving negotiation or determination of the one or more network security mechanisms to be used, e.g. by negotiation between the client and the server or between peers or by selection according to the capabilities of the entities involved negotiation of communication capabilities H04L69/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/006 involving public key infrastructure [PKI] trust models network architecture or network communication protocol for supporting authentication of entities using certificates in a packet data network H04L63/0823
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3268 using certificate validation, registration, distribution or revocation, e.g. certificate revocation list [CRL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/03 Protecting confidentiality, e.g. by encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/043 using a trusted network node as an anchor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/10 Integrity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/128 Anti-malware arrangements, e.g. protection against SMS fraud or mobile malware
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/61 Time-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/40 for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure monitor certificates or other credentials loaded to various components and systems of a vehicle. A set of information identifying credentials that are expected to be present and/or in use can be saved. Periodically, on request, or upon the occurrence of an event or condition, checks can be performed on the credentials individually or in the aggregate using the saved information to determine whether the certificates present and/or in use are those expected or if a change has occurred. If a change is detected, i.e., a difference between the current set of certificates and the saved set of information, the network security system can take some action. The action, depending on the nature of the change detected, can vary from recording and/or reporting the condition up to and including isolating or even disabling a particular component or system on which the changed certificate is used.

Claims

1. A method for detecting potential tampering with security features of a vehicle the method comprising:

maintaining, by one or more systems of the vehicle, a plurality of credentials, each credential comprising a key value and a set of one or more attributes identifying the credential and each credential being associated with a component of a plurality of components of the vehicle connected with a communications network of the vehicle and used by the component to access the communications network;

maintaining, by a network security system of the vehicle, separate from the credentials, information related to and identifying each credential of the plurality of credentials;

performing, by the network security system, a plurality of checks on the credentials using the maintained information, wherein the plurality of checks comprise one or more checks on each of the plurality of credentials individually and one or more checks on the plurality of credentials together in aggregate, wherein the one or more checks on each of the plurality of credentials individually comprises at least a check to determine whether one or more attributes of the credential has changed since last performing the plurality of checks, and wherein the one or more checks on the plurality of credentials together in aggregate comprises at least a check to determine whether a total number for the plurality of credentials has changed since last performing the plurality of checks; and

determining, by the network security system, whether one or more of the credentials have been changed based on the one or more checks.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the maintained information related to and identifying each credential of the plurality of credentials comprises values for at least one of the one or more attributes identifying each credential.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the attributes comprise a plurality of an identifying name or number, an identification of an owner of the credential, an identification of an issuer of the credential, a date and time when the credential becomes valid, a date and time when the credential expires, an indication of usage of the credential, an indication of a signature algorithm used to sign the credential, or a signature by an issuer of the credential.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more checks are performed upon a system boot, periodically, or based on satisfaction of a condition defined in a rule.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising, in response to determining one or more of the credentials have changed, performing an action based on the determined change.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the performed action comprises identifying a component of the plurality of components using the one or more credentials that have changed to access the communications network of the vehicle and isolating the identified one or more components from the communications network.

7. A vehicle comprising:

a processor; and

a memory coupled with and readable by the processor and storing therein a set of instructions which, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to detect potential tampering with security features of the vehicle by;

maintaining a plurality of credentials, each credential comprising a key value and a set of one or more attributes identifying the credential and each credential being associated with a component of a plurality of components of the vehicle connected with a communications network of the vehicle and used by the component to access the communications network;

maintaining, separate from the credentials, information related to and identifying each credential of the plurality of credentials;

performing a plurality of checks on the credentials using the maintained information, wherein the plurality of checks comprise one or more checks on each of the plurality of credentials individually and one or more checks on the plurality of credentials together in aggregate, wherein the one or more checks on each of the plurality of credentials individually comprises at least a check to determine whether one or more attributes of the credential has changed since last performing the plurality of checks, and wherein the one or more checks on the plurality of credentials together in aggregate comprises at least a check to determine whether a total number for the plurality of credentials has changed since last performing the plurality of checks; and

determining whether one or more of the credentials have been changed based on the one or more checks.

8. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the maintained information related to and identifying each credential of the plurality of credentials comprises values for at least one of the one or more attributes identifying each credential and wherein the attributes comprise a plurality of an identifying name or number, an identification of an owner of the credential, an identification of an issuer of the credential, a date and time when the credential becomes valid, a date and time when the credential expires, an indication of usage of the credential, an indication of a signature algorithm used to sign the credential, or a signature by an issuer of the credential.

9. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the one or more checks are performed upon a system boot, periodically, or based on satisfaction of a condition defined in a rule.

10. The vehicle of claim 7, further comprising, in response to determining one or more of the credentials have changed, identifying a component of the plurality of components using the one or more credentials that have changed to access the communications network of the vehicle and isolating the identified one or more components from the communications network.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising a set of instructions stored therein which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to detect potential tampering with security features of the vehicle by:

maintaining a plurality of credentials, each credential comprising a key value and a set of one or more attributes identifying the credential and each credential being associated with a component of a plurality of components of the vehicle connected with a communications network of the vehicle and used by the component to access the communications network;

maintaining, separate from the credentials, information related to and identifying each credential of the plurality of credentials;

performing a plurality of checks on the credentials using the maintained information, wherein the plurality of checks comprises one or more checks on each of the plurality of credentials individually and one or more checks on the plurality of credentials together in aggregate, wherein the one or more checks on each of the plurality of credentials individually comprises at least a check to determine whether one or more attributes of the credential has changed since last performing the plurality of checks, and wherein the one or more checks on the plurality of credentials together in aggregate comprises at least a check to determine whether a total number for the plurality of credentials has changed since last performing the plurality of checks; and

determining whether one or more of the credentials have been changed based on the one or more checks.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the maintained information related to and identifying each credential of the plurality of credentials comprises values for at least one of the one or more attributes identifying each credential and wherein the attributes comprise a plurality of an identifying name or number, an identification of an owner of the credential, an identification of an issuer of the credential, a date and time when the credential becomes valid, a date and time when the credential expires, an indication of usage of the credential, an indication of a signature algorithm used to sign the credential, or a signature by an issuer of the credential.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the one or more checks are performed upon a system boot, periodically, or based on satisfaction of a condition defined in a rule.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, further comprising, in response to determining one or more of the credentials have changed, identifying a component of the plurality of components using the one or more credentials that have changed to access the communications network of the vehicle and isolating the identified one or more components from the communications network.