Authentication Service Mediator for Distributed SSH Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional protocols for cryptographically protected communications sessions, such as SSH, become complex and cumbersome to manage in distributed computer systems due to the number of involved computer systems, lacking efficient mechanisms for secure authentication and authorization.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an additional authentication service that uses a secret, such as a private cryptographic key or symmetric key, to verify digital signatures and provide a forward access session token, enabling secure authentication and authorization within distributed systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional protocols for cryptographically protected communications sessions are used in distributed computer systems, then security between pairs of computer systems is improved, but device complexity increases due to the number of computer systems involved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an authentication service as an intermediary component that mediates between client and server systems. This authentication service handles cryptographic operations and authentication logic centrally, reducing the complexity burden on individual systems while maintaining security. The intermediary authenticates clients and issues tokens, allowing distributed systems to achieve high security without each system managing complex authentication logic independently.
2Reliability
If additional authentication service with cryptographic keys is introduced, then authentication security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication service implements self-service mechanisms where clients automatically present their identities and receive authentication tokens without manual intervention. The service autonomously verifies credentials, manages cryptographic operations, and issues access tokens. This automation maintains high authentication security while improving ease of operation by eliminating manual authentication steps and reducing operational burden on users and systems.
3Reliability
If existing SSH implementations are enhanced with additional security features, then data security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication service is designed as a universal component that can be integrated with existing SSH implementations without requiring fundamental changes to the SSH protocol or client/server code. It provides multi-functional capabilities including authentication, authorization, and session management through a single service framework. This universality allows data security to be enhanced while minimizing complexity increases, as the same service infrastructure handles multiple security functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A server obtains a challenge from another computer system during a negotiation with a client according to a protocol. The server injects the challenge into a message of the protocol to the client. The client uses the challenge in an authentication request. The server submits the authentication request to the other computer system for verification. The other computer system verifies the authentication request using a key registered to the client. The server operations are further dependent at least in part on whether verification of the authentication request was successful.