Building a Secure Electronic Control Unit Hardware Platform for Connected Vehicles

In this project, the research team aims to develop a secure Electronic Control Unit (ECU) hardware platform for connected vehicles utilizing the RISC-V architecture. The core innovation lies in integrating the Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) and Moving Target Defense (MTD) into the ECU. Specifically, the team plans to perform the following tasks: (1) Tailoring the Keystone TEE: The team will adapt the Keystone TEE specifically for ECU applications. This task involves creating a new firmware-level security monitor optimized for the CAN bus to enable device authentication and message encryption. The team will also modify FreeRTOS to function as the enclave runtime, efficiently managing resources. (2) Implementing a Randomization Module: To facilitate MTD, the team will incorporate a randomization module within the RISC-V core. This step will include modifying the core to include instruction set randomization logic and developing a new firmware-level configuration manager for key generation and secure storage. (3) Developing a Recovery Mechanism: A key component of the project is developing a robust recovery mechanism to ensure uninterrupted vehicle operations during an attack. This will involve setting up a fail-safe enclave that contains backup programs for each essential controller and integrating a recovery module within the configuration manager to activate these backup controllers as needed. Moreover, the team will implement the proposed platform on FPGA boards and demonstrate its effectiveness against potential attacks under the environments created in autonomous vehicle simulators. This project aims to provide a comprehensive hardware solution capable of protecting connected vehicles from a range of cyber threats, even in the presence of software vulnerabilities.

• Record URL:
  • https://www.clemson.edu/cecas/tracr/research/projects.html

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $196783
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552344812

  69A3552348317

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Clemson University

  216 Lowry Hall
  Clemson, SC, SC  United States  29634

  Benedict College

  1600 Harden Street
  Columbia, South Carolina  United States  29204
• Managing Organizations:

  National Center for Transportation Cybersecurity and Resiliency (TraCR)

  Clemson University
  Clemson, SC  United States 
• Project Managers:

  Chowdhury, Mashrur

• Performing Organizations:

  Clemson University

  216 Lowry Hall
  Clemson, SC, SC  United States  29634

  Benedict College

  1600 Harden Street
  Columbia, South Carolina  United States  29204
• Principal Investigators:

  Zhang, Zhenkai

  Comert, Gurcan

  Cheng, Long

• Start Date: 20240101
• Expected Completion Date: 20241231
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Computer security; Connected vehicles; Electronic control; System design
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Security and Emergencies; Transportation (General); Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01906998
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: National Center for Transportation Cybersecurity and Resiliency (TraCR)
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552344812, 69A3552348317
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Feb 5 2024 4:13PM