API Authentication Module for MLE Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Developers face inefficiencies when implementing payload encryption and decryption in APIs, as open-source REST tools lack support for message-level encryption (MLE), requiring them to write additional code, which is time-consuming and diverts from the main task of writing the API.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for configuring cryptographic parameters within an API developer platform, allowing for MLE, X-Pay, and Mutual SSL parameter configuration, testing, and viewing decrypted outputs without pre-configured key stores, using downloaded credentials and certificates to create key stores programmatically, and saving configurations in JSON for reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If developers use open-source REST tools (SOAP UI, Postman) to test APIs requiring message-level encryption, then they can test basic API functionality, but they must write additional code to implement MLE validation, which increases development time and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (authentication module/plugin) that bridges the gap between simple open-source REST tools and complex MLE requirements. This intermediary handles the cryptographic operations and authentication logic, allowing developers to use simple tools while still achieving secure API testing without writing custom code
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service authentication where the testing tool automatically performs MLE validation, token generation, and certificate management without requiring developer intervention. The tool configures itself with cryptographic parameters and handles the entire authentication workflow autonomously
2Reliability
If developers create custom code to validate MLE in open-source tools, then MLE functionality is achieved, but the device complexity and code maintenance burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex MLE validation logic, cryptographic operations, and authentication mechanisms from the custom code and relocates them into a dedicated authentication module or plugin. This separation allows the core testing tool to remain simple while the specialized authentication functionality is handled by a dedicated component that can be independently maintained and updated
3Reliability
If pre-configured key stores are used for MLE, then encryption and decryption can be performed, but the system requires manual key store creation and management, which reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically generating key stores, certificates, and cryptographic parameters before the API testing begins. The authentication module pre-configures all necessary security infrastructure, including RSA key pairs, AES session keys, and certificate authorities, eliminating the need for manual key store creation and setup
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service key management where the authentication module automatically generates, stores, and manages cryptographic keys and certificates without user intervention. The module handles key rotation, storage, and retrieval autonomously, freeing developers from manual key management tasks
4Ease of operation
If developers share private keys over networks for MLE testing, then authentication can be implemented, but security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the private key from the network communication path and keeps it securely stored in the authentication module's local key store. The system architecture separates key storage from network transmission, ensuring that private keys never leave the secure environment of the authentication module while still enabling secure authentication through cryptographic operations
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method may simplify API design maintenance by providing an interface for configuring cryptographic parameters in the development of secure APIs to allow configuring MLE and X-Pay parameters, testing MLE and X-Pay-supported APIs, and directly viewing decrypted output of APIs which requires MLE. Rather than a pre-configured key store or creating a key store for each API, the system may refer to stored credentials and certificates to make, Mutual SSL and X-Pay token calls within the developer playground and create the key store programmatically. The configuration may be saved in a JSON format so that it may be reused at a later stage for retesting and also may allow saving the complete configuration including credentials, end point, request and response payload so that there is no need to update credentials in a centralized place. The solutions described herein may also eliminate sharing the private key over a network.