Method of modifying secrets included in a cryptographic module, notably in an unprotected environment

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for modifying a set of secrets in a crypto-graphic module. The cryptographic module ensures that the loading of a secret is either complete or null and void. The module enables a reading of a version number for each secret. The module includes information indicating a version number corresponding to the set of secrets. The method of the invention includes a first step during which, if the version number of the set of secrets is equal to a version number that requires the loading of a set of new secrets, the version number of the set of secrets in the cryptographic module is made equal to a distinctive number that determines that the cryptographic module is being uploaded. The method comprises a second step during which, for each secret and if the version number of said secret is different from the version number of the corresponding new secret to be downloaded, the new secret and the version number thereof are loaded. The method comprises a third step during which the version number of the set of secrets in the cryptographic module is made equal to the version umber of the set of new secrets. The invention can be used particularly for downloading access keys included in a set of smart cards in a non-protected environment.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.