Fundamental Secure Feature I: Secure Boot
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What is it?
Secure Boot is a mechanism that verifies the authenticity and integrity of software code stored in flash memory before allowing the system to execute it. The MCU will only boot the application if the code has not been tampered with.
Why is it needed?
Prevents unauthorized firmware execution.
Protects against malicious code injection during the boot process.
Blocks attempts to bypass security checks by tampering with the bootloader.
Ensures the ECU does not boot into a compromised or corrupted state.
🔍 For example, an attacker might modify the bootloader to disable security features after boot. Secure Boot prevents this by enforcing integrity checks from the very first instruction.
Types of Secure Boot:
Symmetric-Based Secure Boot
Uses shared keys for both signing and verification. Easier to implement, but key management is critical.
Asymmetric-Based Secure Boot
Uses a private-public key pair. The bootloader verifies the signature of the firmware using a public key, while the signing is done with a private key at the OEM end.
Execution Modes:
Sequential Mode:
Execution begins only after the entire firmware is authenticated.
Parallel Mode:
Authentication and execution happen concurrently, improving boot time (used in performance-sensitive systems).
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