Which of the following can the hardware manufacturer implement to prevent firmware downgrades?

A computer hardware manufacturer developing a new SoC that will be used by mobile devices. The SoC should not allow users or the process to downgrade from a newer firmware to an older one.

Which of the following can the hardware manufacturer implement to prevent firmware downgrades?
A . Encryption
B. eFuse
C. Secure Enclave
D. Trusted execution

View Answer

Answer: B

Explanation:

An eFuse, or electronic fuse, is a microscopic fuse put into a computer chip that can be blown by applying a high voltage or current. Once blown, an eFuse cannot be reset or repaired, and its state can be read by software or hardware2 An eFuse can be used by a hardware manufacturer to prevent firmware downgrades on a system-on-chip (SoC) that will be used by mobile devices. An eFuse can store information such as the firmware version, security level, or device configuration on the chip. When a newer firmware is installed, an eFuse can be blown to indicate the update and prevent reverting to an older firmware. This can help protect the device from security vulnerabilities, compatibility issues, or unauthorized modifications.

Reference: 2 eFuse – Wikipedia