Patent ID: 7774596
Filing Date: 2010-08-10
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for securely updating firmware in a computing device, comprising: dividing a firmware image to create a plurality of virtual image modules, the plurality of virtual image modules stored in at least one location outside a ROM image located in the computing device; providing an update validation procedure for validating an updated virtual image module during pre-boot, the update validation procedure identified by a unique identifier and including a decryption process; including a reference for each of the plurality of virtual image modules in a build of firmware placed in the ROM image, each reference including a version identifier, a message digest and a unique identifier for an associated virtual image module, the reference also including a validator identifier identifying the update validation procedure; providing an updated virtual image module that includes a version identifier; using the update validation procedure identified by the validator identifier in a reference to validate the updated virtual image module during pre-boot; and updating a reference contained in the ROM image to one of the plurality of virtual image modules to include a message digest of the updated virtual image module and the version identifier of the updated virtual image module following the validation of the updated virtual image module.