Network Attack Signature Merging for Real-Time Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of attack signatures in Snort's database leads to memory and processing delays, making it difficult to detect network attacks in real-time, and existing signature-based techniques are vulnerable to false positives and require separate systems for generation and detection.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for detecting network attacks using signature merging, which includes a communication unit, storage unit, and control unit to compress and match character strings from input packets against a detailed and compressed database, generating new attack signatures in real-time through statistical matching and grammar inference techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the number of attack signatures in the database is increased to detect more attacks, then the detection coverage is improved, but the memory usage and detection time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large attack signature database into multiple subsets or categories, allowing the system to process and search through divided portions rather than the entire database at once. This segmentation reduces the time required for signature matching while maintaining comprehensive detection coverage across all segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes redundant or duplicate attack signatures from the database, keeping only the essential and non-redundant signatures. This extraction process reduces the overall database size and search time while preserving the ability to detect all unique attack types.
2Reliability
If the number of attack signatures is increased to improve detection coverage, then more attacks can be detected, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple attack signature patterns into consolidated signature rules or grouped categories, reducing the total number of individual signatures while maintaining equivalent detection capability. This merging reduces system complexity by decreasing the number of signature management operations required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal attack signature patterns that can detect multiple different attack variants through a single signature rule. These multi-functional signatures reduce the total number of signatures needed while maintaining broad detection coverage across various attack types.
3Measurement precision
If traditional signature matching is used to detect attacks, then detection accuracy is maintained, but false positives occur and separate signature generation systems are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the intrusion detection system automatically generates new attack signatures from detected attack patterns without requiring external signature generation systems. This self-service capability eliminates the need for separate signature generation apparatus while maintaining detection accuracy through automated pattern analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where detected attacks are analyzed and used to automatically update and refine the signature database. This feedback loop improves detection accuracy over time by learning from actual attack patterns while integrating signature generation within the same system.
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided a method and an apparatus for detecting attacks and automatically generating attack signatures based on signature merging. A method for detecting attacks and automatically generating attack signatures based on signature merging includes detecting a character string matched to at least one previously stored compressed attack signature in an input packet received from a network, determining whether the character string detected in the primary attack detection is matched to at least one previously stored individual attack signature, and, if the detected character string is matched to the at least one previously stored individual attack signature, determining the input packet as an attack packet, and, if the detected character string is not matched, determining the input packet as a new attack signature.