Client Agent Intercepts HTTP Cookies for VPN Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions face challenges in managing HTTP cookies for user authentication across different browsers and non-HTTP connections within virtual private networks, due to varying cookie management policies and accessibility issues.
Innovation Solution
A client agent intercepts and parses HTTP communications to manage cookies, enabling HTTP cookie authentication in non-HTTP communications by establishing a transport layer virtual private network connection and transmitting authentication cookies to authenticate users securely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If web browsers are used to manage HTTP cookies for user authentication, then authentication information can be passed from client to virtual private network appliance, but cookie management policies vary across different browsers making it difficult to implement consistent authentication across multiple connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a client agent as an intermediary component that sits between the web browser and the virtual private network appliance. This agent intercepts HTTP communications, extracts authentication cookies, and manages them in a standardized way regardless of browser-specific policies. The agent acts as a mediator that translates various browser cookie management behaviors into a unified authentication mechanism, thereby resolving the contradiction between authentication compatibility and management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The client agent extracts authentication cookies from HTTP communications separately from the browser's native cookie management. By taking out the cookie extraction and management functionality from the browser environment, the system creates an independent authentication management layer that is not constrained by browser-specific policies, thus improving authentication compatibility while reducing the complexity of dealing with multiple browser implementations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If web browsers are used to manage authentication cookies, then HTTP connections can be authenticated, but non-HTTP connections cannot access authentication cookies since the web browser may not be used
Solution Approach 1:
The client agent serves as an intermediary that captures authentication cookies from HTTP communications at the source and makes them available to all types of connections. By positioning the agent between the browser and the VPN appliance, it intercepts cookies before they are consumed by the browser and stores them in a manner accessible to both HTTP and non-HTTP connections, thereby ensuring authentication availability across different protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The client agent performs preliminary extraction and storage of authentication cookies during HTTP communications before they are needed for other connections. By capturing and preserving cookies in advance, the system ensures that authentication credentials are available when non-HTTP connections need to establish themselves, thus improving authentication availability without relying on browser-specific behavior at the moment of connection.
3Productivity
If a user opens multiple simultaneous connections to a virtual private network, then network functionality is improved, but authentication cookies from the first connection should be reused to establish the second connection without reentering authentication information
Solution Approach 1:
The client agent acts as an intermediary that manages authentication cookies across multiple connections. It intercepts the initial authentication cookie from the first connection, stores it, and automatically provides it to subsequent connections. This eliminates the need for users to re-enter authentication information for each connection, thereby improving both connection efficiency and authentication convenience simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The client agent maintains the authentication cookie from the first connection and continuously makes it available for subsequent connections. By preserving the authentication state across multiple connections rather than allowing each connection to be independent, the system ensures that authentication is a one-time action that benefits all subsequent connections, thus improving productivity and ease of operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods are described for using a client agent operating in a virtual private network environment to intercept HTTP communications. Methods include: intercepting at the network layer, by a client agent executing on a client, an HTTP request from an application executing on the client; modifying the HTTP request; and transmitting, via a transport layer connection, the modified HTTP request to a server. Additional methods may comprise adding, removing, or modifying at least one cookie in the HTTP request. Still other methods may comprise modifying at least one name-value pair contained in the HTTP request. Still other methods may use a client agent to manage HTTP authentication cookies.