Endpoint Malware Remediation via Callback Interception

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional intrusion prevention systems (IPS) and security devices are unable to protect against unrecognized attacks and fail to remediate compromised endpoint devices, leading to a gap in security coverage that allows lateral spread of malware and reoccurrence of infections until a software patch is applied.

Innovation Solution

A security network device with malware detection and recovery logic that intercepts and alters communications between compromised endpoint devices and Command and Control (CnC) servers, neutralizing malware by overwriting its communication code with neutralized software to mitigate or eliminate malicious activity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional intrusion prevention systems (IPS) are deployed to protect against known attacks, then protection against recognized threats is improved, but the system remains unable to detect and protect against unrecognized attacks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against known attacksVSAvoidability to detect unrecognized attacks
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by proactively scanning endpoint devices for malware presence and establishing remediation measures before unrecognized attacks can cause damage. The system performs preliminary detection of compromised devices and pre-applies neutralized software versions that prevent execution of malicious code, thereby preparing defenses against threats before they fully manifest.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs an intermediary approach by introducing a security appliance that acts as a mediator between the network and endpoint devices. This appliance includes a malware database and remediation module that intercepts communications, detects malware callbacks, and delivers neutralized software versions that serve as intermediaries between the malicious threat and the vulnerable endpoint, thereby enabling detection and response to previously unrecognized attacks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If conventional security devices are used to detect unrecognized attacks, then detection capability is improved, but the system fails to prevent malware from compromising endpoint devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection of unrecognized attacksVSAvoidprevention of endpoint compromise
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection by actively scanning endpoint devices for signs of malware infection before the malware can fully compromise the device. Once malware is detected, the system proactively applies remediation measures including delivering neutralized software versions that prevent the malware from executing its malicious payload, thereby preventing endpoint compromise before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The security appliance acts as an intermediary by intercepting communications between endpoint devices and potential malware servers. The system analyzes these communications, detects malware callbacks, and introduces a intermediary layer that delivers neutralized software versions which block the malicious communication while allowing legitimate operations to continue, thereby preventing endpoint compromise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If malware is promptly remediated, then malicious activity is halted, but endpoint devices remain susceptible to re-infection until software patches are applied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of malware remediationVSAvoidprotection against re-infection
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements preliminary protection by immediately delivering and installing neutralized software versions on remediated endpoint devices. These neutralized versions contain code that prevents re-infection by the same malware strain, thereby providing preliminary defense against re-infection before official software patches become available. This ensures continuous protection during the vulnerability window.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs an intermediary solution by providing neutralized software versions that act as intermediaries between the vulnerable endpoint and potential re-infection threats. These neutralized versions contain embedded protection mechanisms that intercept and block attempts by the same malware to re-infect the device, serving as a temporary but effective intermediary defense until permanent patches are deployed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Measurement precision

If the security system monitors all network traffic to detect malware callbacks, then detection accuracy is improved, but system complexity and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracy of malware callbacksVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies the extraction principle by isolating and focusing monitoring efforts specifically on callback communications from detected malware instances. Rather than analyzing all network traffic equally, the system extracts and prioritizes analysis of communications from endpoints identified as compromised, thereby maintaining high detection accuracy while reducing overall system complexity and processing requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements local quality by applying different levels of monitoring intensity to different network segments and devices. Endpoints identified as compromised receive intensive local monitoring and analysis of their communications, while other devices receive standard monitoring. This localized approach maintains high detection accuracy for critical threats while reducing overall system complexity and resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10757134B1System and method for detecting and remediating a cybersecurity attack
Publication Date: 2020.08.25 MAGENTA SECURITY HOLDINGS LLC
  • US10757134B1 patent drawing
  • US10757134B1 patent drawing
  • US10757134B1 patent drawing

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a computerized method is directed to neutralizing callback malware. This method involves intercepting a message directed to an endpoint device, where the message is in response to a callback message sent from callback malware operating on the endpoint device. Thereafter, a first portion of information within the message is substituted with a second portion of information. The second portion of information includes code that is configured to overwrite at least a portion of the callback malware and cause the callback malware to become inoperable or mitigate its operability.