Web Client State Reassignment via HTTP Redirect Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current web applications face challenges in securely transferring client persistent state information to a new domain during HTTP redirects, as users often lose stored data and bookmarks due to incomplete URL updates, leading to usability and security issues.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a client state information reassignment function in web application clients that automatically reassesses the authenticity of HTTP 301 redirects and securely transfers form elements, passwords, and cookies to the new domain, ensuring seamless interaction with the new application server domain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the client automatically updates URL references in response to HTTP 301 redirects, then URL preservation and seamless user experience are improved, but security risks increase due to potential phishing attacks and malicious re-linking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary verification mechanism that acts as a mediator between the redirect response and the URL update action. The system verifies the authenticity of the redirect through multiple checks (SSL certificate validation, domain ownership verification, redirect policy validation) before allowing URL updates, thus preventing malicious re-linking while maintaining seamless user experience for legitimate redirects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary verification actions before executing the URL update. The system validates the redirect authenticity, checks SSL certificates, verifies domain ownership, and confirms redirect policies are met before automatically updating stored URLs and bookmarks. This preliminary action prevents security breaches while enabling smooth transitions for legitimate domain changes
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the client does not update URL references in response to HTTP 301 redirects, then security is maintained, but user experience deteriorates due to broken bookmarks and lost persistent state information
Solution Approach 1:
The verification mechanism serves as an intermediary that determines whether to transfer persistent state information. By validating redirect authenticity through SSL certificates, domain verification, and policy checks, the system safely transfers form elements, cookies, and authentication data only for legitimate redirects, preventing information loss for users while blocking malicious transfers
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms to monitor and verify redirect authenticity before state information transfer. The verification process provides feedback on whether the redirect is legitimate based on SSL validation, domain matching, and policy compliance, enabling intelligent decisions about whether to preserve or discard persistent state information
3Object-affected harmful factors
If manual verification of redirect authenticity is required, then security is improved, but productivity decreases due to additional user steps
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service verification mechanisms that automatically perform authenticity checks without requiring user intervention. The client automatically validates SSL certificates, verifies domain ownership, checks redirect policies, and determines whether to update URLs and transfer state information. This automation maintains high security standards while preserving processing speed and user convenience
Data Source
AI summary
A technique to reassign one or more stored elements of web application client state information is provided in an HTTP-based client upon receipt of an HTTP redirect in response to a request-URI. One or more stored elements associated to the request-URI are saved in or in association with the client. Upon receipt of an HTTP 301 (permanent) redirect, the client automatically reassigns (re-associates) the one or more stored elements to the redirect domain when the redirect can be verified as authentic (e.g., to originate from the application to which the client is attempting to connect).