Build Script Analysis for Tiered CI/CD Security Enforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
CI/CD pipelines lack adequate security measures, allowing malicious actors to exploit vulnerabilities in source code and spread attacks throughout the software supply chain, and existing solutions fail to provide continuous monitoring and enforcement of security policies beyond the build phase.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for enforcing security policies in dynamic development pipelines by analyzing build scripts to identify expected actions, constructing a security policy, and monitoring the pipeline environment, including the use of machine learning algorithms to detect and prevent malicious activities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If security monitoring is limited to the build phase and build machine, then device complexity is reduced, but security coverage is insufficient allowing attacks at multiple pipeline points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal security monitoring system that functions across multiple CI/CD pipeline phases (source, build, test, deploy) and multiple targets (machines, repositories, libraries). The security policy enforcement mechanism serves universal purposes: monitoring build scripts, enforcing policies, detecting attacks, and blocking malicious actions across the entire pipeline environment, not just isolated to the build phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments security monitoring into distinct pipeline phases (source, build, test, deploy) and targets (build machines, repositories, libraries). Each phase has specific monitoring capabilities tailored to its characteristics, while the central security policy enforcement coordinates across all segments. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage without overwhelming system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If security policies are generated based on comprehensive analysis of build scripts, then security precision is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary analysis of build scripts to generate security policies before the actual build execution. By analyzing the build script beforehand, the system constructs a representation of expected build actions and generates security policies in advance, allowing the build process to proceed without delays while maintaining high security precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual or exhaustive security analysis with automated machine learning algorithms and AI models. These intelligent systems efficiently analyze build scripts, identify expected actions, and generate security policies without the time-consuming manual processes, achieving both high precision and rapid policy generation.
3Reliability
If automated security monitoring is implemented across the pipeline, then security enforcement is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a security policy enforcement mechanism as an intermediary layer between the build script execution and the pipeline environment. This intermediary monitors build script actions, compares them against expected actions defined in security policies, and blocks or allows actions accordingly. It provides automated security enforcement without requiring complex direct integration with every pipeline component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the security monitoring system continuously observes build script execution, compares actual actions against expected actions, and provides real-time enforcement decisions. The system learns from detected attacks and security events, refining its monitoring and enforcement capabilities while maintaining manageable complexity through adaptive rather than purely static rules.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for enforcing security policies in dynamic development pipelines. Techniques include accessing a build script, including a set of instructions for a software build process, parsing the build script to identify a set of scripted build instructions, determining a set of expected build actions based on the scripted build instructions, and constructing a representation of the set of expected build actions. The techniques may further include automatically generating a tiered security policy based on the representation of the set of expected build actions, monitoring a dynamic pipeline running the build script, and enforcing the security policy for the dynamic pipeline environment.