Context-Based Security Validation Framework for Source Code
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current input validation mechanisms in the software development lifecycle lack context-sensitivity, flexibility, and are not easily extensible, often affecting performance and requiring programming expertise, and are not adequately integrated during the development phase.
Innovation Solution
A context-based validation framework that integrates security features into the source code base using an aspect package module and validator package module, allowing for dynamic security routine application and rule updates without modifying the underlying code, utilizing a custom interface and validator aspect module to control execution flow based on context.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard input validation mechanisms are applied to each variable making a request for security validation, then security coverage is improved, but software program performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different validation strategies to different variables based on their security risk profiles. High-risk variables undergo rigorous validation, while low-risk variables use streamlined validation, optimizing the balance between security coverage and performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The framework performs security validation selectively on critical variables rather than uniformly on all variables. This partial action approach maintains security for essential inputs while reducing unnecessary validation overhead on non-critical variables, thereby improving overall performance.
2Reliability
If security routines are tightly coupled with specific applications, then security effectiveness is improved, but flexibility and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments security routines into modular, independently configurable units that can be selectively applied to different applications. This segmentation allows each application to receive tailored security measures while maintaining the ability to adapt and update individual security components without affecting the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The framework employs dynamic security routines that can be configured and adjusted at runtime based on application-specific requirements and emerging security threats. This dynamic approach enables security effectiveness to be optimized for each application while maintaining flexibility through configurable parameters and adaptable validation rules.
3Measurement precision
If context-sensitive information is used to optimize security routine usage, then validation precision is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a context analysis intermediary layer that processes and interprets context-sensitive information about variables and their security requirements. This intermediary automatically extracts relevant context features and maps them to appropriate validation routines, improving validation precision while shielding the overall system from the complexity of context analysis through automated mediation.
Data Source
AI summary
A framework for securing a source code base during the development phase of a software development lifecycle is provided. The framework includes an aspect package module and a validator package module. The aspect package module integrates security routines into the source code base. The aspect package module includes a custom interface module and a validator aspect module. The custom interface module includes a function declaration, wherein the custom interface module is implemented by at least one class of the one or more classes. The validator aspect module includes a controller code for controlling the flow of the execution, based on the context for the security validation of the at least one class, wherein one or more security routine integration points are defined in the at least one class. The validator package module validates the at least one class, based on the defined context, by using one or more validation classes.