Air-Gapped VM Application Launch via Hypervisor Interception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air gapping security solutions using virtual machines do not provide a complete defense against malicious code and suffer from user experience issues due to limitations in functionality and interaction capabilities, as they often rely on host operating systems that can be vulnerable to exploits and restrict user operations.
Innovation Solution
A virtualized environment that allows seamless execution of applications in isolated security zones, using a hypervisor to manage and isolate applications, providing a unified user experience while preventing malicious code propagation by intercepting and analyzing user requests, and executing them in appropriate security zones with the required permissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air gapping security is implemented by isolating computers from external connections, then security protection is improved, but user productivity deteriorates due to inability to access Internet resources
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the computing environment into multiple isolated virtual machine instances, each capable of running applications. By segmenting functionality across multiple air-gapped VMs with controlled inter-VM communication, the system maintains security isolation while enabling productive workflows through deliberate data transfer mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism (such as a secure file transfer service or controlled communication channel) that enables data exchange between air-gapped virtual machines without compromising security. This intermediary allows users to access resources and maintain productivity while preserving the air-gap security model.
2Reliability
If virtual machine isolation is used to secure computing environments, then security zones are improved, but user experience deteriorates due to limited functionality and interaction capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides a unified desktop environment that presents a consistent, familiar interface to users regardless of which virtual machine instance is currently active. This universal interface layer allows users to interact with multiple isolated VMs through a single cohesive UI, maintaining ease of operation while preserving security boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges multiple isolated virtual machine interfaces into a single unified desktop experience. By combining the interactions of multiple security zones into one cohesive interface, users can seamlessly switch between VMs and access resources without experiencing the fragmentation and limitations of traditional VM isolation interfaces.
3Adaptability or versatility
If host operating systems are used in virtualization environments, then system functionality is improved, but security vulnerabilities increase due to potential exploits and malicious code propagation
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the host OS functionality across multiple isolated virtual machine instances. Each VM runs a full-featured operating system with complete functionality, but they are isolated from each other and from the physical hardware through virtualization. This segmentation allows rich system functionality while containing security vulnerabilities within individual VM boundaries, preventing propagation to other VMs or the host.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for performing user experience (UX) functions on an air-gapped endpoint is provided. The method includes monitoring a plurality of virtual machines to detect at least one user request to be executed within a security zone; intercepting the user request and analyzing a level of permission required to complete the user request; determining an appropriate security zone in which to execute the user request, wherein the appropriate security zone has the required level of permission; and executing the user request in the appropriate security zone.