Processors Resistant to Hacking

Research Links

• Google: freescale anti hacking processor

i.MX Trust Features

Trusted Execution

•  Isolates execution of critical SW from possible malware
•  TrustZone Secure & Normal Worlds (processor modes)
• Hardware firewalls between CPU & DMA masters and memory & peripherals

High Assurance Boot

• Authenticated boot: prevents unauthorized SW execution
•  Encrypted boot: protects SW confidentiality 
• Digital signature checks embedded in on-chip boot ROM
•  Run every time processor is reset

HW Cryptographic Accelerators

•  i.MX family dependent
•  Symmetric: AES-128, AES-256, 3DES, ARC4
•  Message Digest & HMAC: SHA-1, SHA-256, MD-5

Secure Storage

•  Protects data confidentiality and integrity 
• Off-chip: cryptographic protection including device binding
•  On-chip: self-clearing Secure RAM • HW-only keys: no SW access

HW Random Number Generation

• Ensures strong keys and protects against protocol replay
• On-chip entropy generation
•  Cryptographically secure deterministic RNG

Secure Clock

• Provides reliable time source
•  On-chip, separately-powered real-time clock
• Protection from SW tampering