Multi-source Cloud Vulnerability Assessment via Contextual Data Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional methods for monitoring and protecting cloud-based networked information systems are inadequate due to the unique challenges of rapid growth, distribution, and differing security threat models in cloud environments, leading to inefficient and non-specific vulnerability management.

Innovation Solution

A multi-source cloud-infrastructure vulnerability management system that collects and unifies vulnerability information from various sources, providing context-specific and actionable assessments by integrating data from cloud providers and operating-system-specific sources, enabling effective remediation pathways.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional vulnerability monitoring methods are used in cloud environments, then the system structure is simple and easy to implement, but the measurement precision and reliability of vulnerability assessment deteriorate due to rapid growth, distribution, and differing security threat models

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevulnerability assessment accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments vulnerability information from multiple sources (NVD, cloud provider sources, OS-specific sources) into distinct collection modules, each handling specific data types. This segmentation allows precise processing of different vulnerability data formats while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a central processing system that acts as an intermediary between multiple vulnerability information sources and the final assessment output. This mediator consolidates, correlates, and processes data from diverse sources (NVD, cloud providers, OS vendors) to produce unified vulnerability assessments, improving precision without requiring direct integration between all sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple vulnerability information sources are integrated, then the reliability and precision of vulnerability management improve, but the device complexity and difficulty of detecting and measuring vulnerabilities increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevulnerability management reliabilityVSAvoidvulnerability detection difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges vulnerability information from multiple sources (NVD, cloud provider sources, OS-specific sources) into a unified assessment framework. By combining these sources through a common processing architecture, the system achieves comprehensive vulnerability coverage and improved reliability while managing detection complexity through standardized processing procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal vulnerability processing system that handles multiple data sources through a single multi-functional platform. This universal system can process NVD data, cloud provider-specific data, and OS-specific data using the same core processing logic, reducing the difficulty of detection by providing a unified interface despite the diversity of input sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of information

If generic vulnerability information is provided, then the ease of operation is high, but the loss of information increases due to lack of context-specific details for cloud-based elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontext-specific information lossVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by providing vulnerability information tailored to specific cloud-based elements rather than generic assessments. Each vulnerability assessment is customized based on the specific cloud element type, cloud provider context, and OS-specific details, ensuring that the right level of specificity is provided where needed while maintaining operational simplicity through automated contextualization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11809574B2System and method for multi-source vulnerability management

Publication Date: 2023.11.07 F5 NETWORKS INC

AI summary

A method for multi-source cloud-infrastructure vulnerability management includes receiving cloud-element information related to a cloud-based element in a cloud environment. The method also includes receiving first vulnerability information from a first vulnerability source and receiving second vulnerability information from a second vulnerability source. Cloud-element context information is also received about the cloud-based element from the cloud environment. A multiple-source vulnerability database is then generated from both the first vulnerability information and from the second vulnerability information. The cloud-element information and the cloud-element context information are then evaluated using the multiple-source vulnerability database to generate a vulnerability assessment.