Binary Code Signatures for Embedded Vulnerability Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in identifying vulnerabilities in software, particularly in binary files, without access to development or build system context, and struggle to detect bugs in third-party libraries embedded in executable files.

Innovation Solution

The use of code signatures, including wildcarding instructions, to generate and apply signatures for detecting vulnerabilities in binary files, enabling efficient detection without reliance on software build systems or package managers, and supporting applications at firewalls, endpoint protection, and cloud-based security solutions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If traditional vulnerability detection methods are used, then detection capability is limited, but dependency on development/build system context increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevulnerability detection capabilityVSAvoiddetection context information

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts vulnerability detection capability from the development/build system context. By generating code signatures from disassembled binary functions and storing them in a vulnerability database, the system enables detection without requiring access to source code, build systems, or package managers. The signature extraction process isolates the essential vulnerability pattern from the surrounding context.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copy of the vulnerability detection mechanism that operates independently of the original development context. By generating synthetic code signatures from disassembled functions and storing them as templates, the system allows detection through pattern matching without needing the actual development or build system information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If code signatures with wildcarding are generated, then detection flexibility improves, but signature complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection flexibilityVSAvoidsignature rule complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by introducing wildcard characters into code signatures to represent variable instruction patterns. This allows a single signature template to match multiple actual code variations while maintaining the core vulnerability pattern, thereby improving adaptability without requiring multiple separate signatures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates universal code signatures that can detect multiple software versions and implementations of the same vulnerability through wildcarding. A single signature rule serves multiple functions by matching different binary representations of the same vulnerable code pattern across various software versions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If static analysis of binary files is performed, then detection speed increases, but detection accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection speedVSAvoidvulnerability detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-disassembling and analyzing binary functions to generate code signatures before actual vulnerability detection occurs. The vulnerability database is populated with signatures extracted from disassembled functions, enabling rapid pattern matching during detection without requiring complex real-time analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical analysis systems with a simpler pattern matching mechanism. Instead of performing comprehensive static analysis during detection, the system substitutes this with faster signature matching against pre-generated codesignatures, achieving both speed and accuracy through the pre-computed signature templates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12579282B2Identifying vulnerabilities in binary files using a code signature

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 PALO ALTO NETWORKS INC

AI summary

Techniques for identifying vulnerabilities in binary files using a code signature are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system, a process, and/or a computer program product for identifying vulnerabilities in binary files using a code signature includes collecting a plurality of binary files associated with a vulnerability (e.g., a known vulnerability); determining a function in the plurality of binary files that includes the vulnerability; and automatically generating a code signature (e.g., including wildcarding one or more instructions of the function) for detecting the vulnerability in the plurality of binary files.