Methods, apparatus and computer program products for authenticating and determining integrity of a software part of an air vehicle

摘要

Methods, apparatus and computer program products are provided to authenticate and determine the integrity a software part. In this regard, a software part is authenticated and its integrity is determined by determining a first hash of the digital data that comprises the software part. If the air vehicle lacks data communications connectivity with an off-board security system, the method determines the authenticity and integrity of the software part by decrypting an encrypted hash of a software part in accordance with a public-private key pair to create a decrypted hash, comparing the first hash with the decrypted hash and transmitting the first hash to the off-board security system once data communications connectivity is established. Conversely, if the air vehicle has data communications connectivity with the off-board security system, the method determines the integrity of the software part by transmitting the first hash to the off-board security system for comparison with a whitelist.

主权项

1. A method for authenticating and determining integrity of a software part of an air vehicle comprising:
determining a first hash of digital data that comprises the software part; and utilizing first and second different techniques to determine authenticity and integrity of the software part depending upon whether the air vehicle has data communications connectivity with an off-board security system in which case the first technique is utilized or lacks data communications connectivity with the off-board security system in which case the second technique is utilized, wherein, in an instance in which the air vehicle lacks data communications connectivity with the off-board security system, determining authenticity and integrity of the software part in accordance with the second technique by:
decrypting an encrypted hash of a software part in accordance with a public-private key pair to create a decrypted hash;comparing the first hash with the decrypted hash;executing the software part in an instance in which the first hash matches the decrypted hash without awaiting establishment of data communications connectivity with the off-board security system; andthereafter transmitting the first hash to the off-board security system, following execution of the software part, once data communications connectivity is established; and wherein, in an instance in which the air vehicle has data communications connectivity with the off-board security system, determining the integrity of the software part in accordance with the first technique by transmitting the first hash to the off-board security system for comparison with a whitelist including a plurality of hashes of authentic software parts.