Intel TXT (Trusted eXecution Technology) provides hardware-based security enhancements that establish a trusted computing environment. It integrates new security features into processors, chipsets, and other platform components to measure critical software components at launch and verify they match approved codes before granting execution. This allows establishing an isolated and protected environment to securely migrate workloads between hosts. The technology aims to increase security and protection of sensitive data and systems from malicious software.

1. Intel® TXT
The Front Door of Trusted Computing....
© 2008 Intel Corporation

2. Outlines
 Introduction to Intel® TXT Technology
 Why it matters?
 Bad & Good List
 Architectural Enhancements
 How it works?
 Control Points
 LCP Protection
 Use Models
 Benefits
 Meeting the requirements
 Conclusion
 References
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3. Introduction
 Intel®
TXT(Trusted eXecution Technology) Code
named as LaGrande.
 Provides Hardware-based Security enhancing the
level of security (more useful for Business PCs)
 Integrates
new security features and capabilities
into the processor, chipset and other platform
components
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4. Why it matters?
 Mechanism of Malwares may vary but they all seek to:
1. Corrupt Systems
2. Disrupt Business
3. Steal Data
4. Seize control of Platforms
 Traditional approaches by anti-viruses is to look for
“known-bad” elements.
 Intel® TXT provides “known good-focused” approach,
that checks for malicious software before they are even
launched.
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5. Move from bad list to good list
VMM V20
VMM V4
VMM V8
Hacked_V1
VMM V4 VMM V1
VMM V3
Corrupted_V2
Hacked_V1 VMM V2
VMM V4OS3
Corrupted_V2 OS1
Hacked_V1 OS4
OS3 OS2
Corrupted_V2
OS4
OS3
OS4
Bad list Good list
Reactive Proactive
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6. Good List Requirements
Accurate Strict control
Identity identity of enables switch to
Check software good list
Enforce the
Control list policy
Must provide ability to validate list
integrity at time of policy
Integrity enforcement
Check Management of list must provide
for multiple users and assurance of
list integrity
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7. Architectural Enhancements
A number of system components’ functionalities as well as
architecture is enhanced:
 Processor:
Provides for simultaneous support of the standard partition &
one or more protected partitions.
 Chipset:
Provides protected channels to graphics h/w and i/o devices on
behalf of the protected partitions. Also provides interfaces to the
TPM.
 Keyboard & Mouse:
Support encryption of keyboard and mouse input using a
cryptographic key that is shared between the input device and
the input manager for protected execution domain.
(contd..)
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8.  Graphics:
Provides protected pathway between an application or
software agent and the output display context(such as
window object)
 TPM(Trusted Platform Module):
Hardware-based mechanism that stores cryptographic keys
and other data related to Intel® TXT within the platform,
also provides hardware support for the attestation process to
confirm the successful invocation of the Intel TXT
environment.
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9. Internal Components of a TPM
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10. How does it works?
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11. How does it works? (contd..)
 Creates a Measured Launch Environment(MLE) that enables
accurate comparison of all critical elements of launch
environment against known-good source.
 Creates a cryptographically unique identifier for each
approved launch-enabled component, and then provides
hardware-based enforcement mechanisms to block the
launch of code that does not match approved code.
 Intel TXT provides:
• Verified Launch (MLE)
• Launch Control Policy (LCP)
• Secret Protection
• Attestation
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12. How does it works? (contd..)
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13. Control Points
 Load SINIT and MLE into memory

  Invoke GETSEC [SENTER]
Memory
  Establish special environment
MLE 
  Load SINIT into ACEA
MLE 
MLE   Validate SINIT digital signature

a a Store SINIT identity in TPM
CPU a
SINIT  SINIT measures MLE in memory
ACM ACEA
SINIT a Store MLE identity in TPM
 ACM
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14. Control Points
 Load SINIT and MLE into memory

  Invoke GETSEC [SENTER]
Memory
  Establish special environment
MLE 
  Load SINIT into ACEA
MLE 
MLE   Validate SINIT digital signature

a a Store SINIT identity in TPM
CPU a
SINIT  SINIT measures MLE in memory
ACM ACEA
SINIT a Store MLE identity in TPM
 ACM
 SINIT loads LCP

LCP  SINIT passes control to known MLE
VMM1
VMM2
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15. LCP Protection
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16. Intel ® TXT
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17. Ensures Safe Migration between
Hosts through Trustable Pools
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18. Benefits of Intel® TXT
 Increased user confidence in their computing
environment
 More protection from malicious software
 Improved protection of corporate information
assets
 Better confidentiality and integrity of sensitive
information
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19. Meeting The Requirements
Software stack identity
Identity provided by SENTER
measurement
Control of software stack
provided by authenticated code
Control enforcing a launch control policy
set for the specific platform
Integrity of the launch control
Integrity policy guaranteed by hash and
TPM controls
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20. Safer Computing
with Intel technologies
Future Technologies
Protection Capabilities
Intel® Trusted Execution Technology
Intel® Virtualization Technology
Intel® Active Management Technology
Execute Disable
TPM (Trusted Platform Module)
Smart Card
Software-Only
Time
Advancing Platform Protections
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21. Conclusion
With Intel® TXT enabled solutions we can:
 Address the increasing and evolving security
threats across physical and virtual infrastructure.
 Facilitate compliance with government and industry
regulations and data protection standards.
 Reduce malware-related support and remediation
costs.
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22. References
 Software Development Guide, Intel® TXT, pdf format, March
2011
 White Paper, Intel® TXT Software, pdf format
 Technology Overview, Intel® TXT, pdf format
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trusted_Execution_Technology
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsjXjDksU
 http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/data-
security/security-overview-general-technology.html
 http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/architecture-and-
technology/trusted-execution-technology/trusted-execution-
technology-overview.html
 http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/architecture-and-
technology/trusted-execution-technology/malware-reduction-
general-technology.html
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23. 23 16 Oct 2008 Front Door of Trusted Computing