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trebligdivadyesterday at 9:46 PM1 replyview on HN

Wouldn't the other reason to have multiple manufacturer keys, be to guard against them losing the private key for one in a way that means they can't sign anything any more?


Replies

bri3dyesterday at 10:25 PM

I mean, sure, but to what end does that madness lead? Who backs up the backups?

Usually this is to allow different departments / divisions / customers (in the case of an OEM model) to all sign code or encrypt binaries, although this is likewise a bit off as each enrolled key increases the amount of material which is available to leak in the leak model. Or to allow model line differentiation with crossover.