Copy Protection for Secured Files Using Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In computing environments, privileged users can potentially copy and exploit secure files, such as password hashes, leading to security breaches and unauthorized access to additional data sources, even if the system is compromised temporarily.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented to identify and block copy requests for files subject to copy protection, particularly those containing sensitive information like password hashes, by triggering a copy protection protocol that prevents read/write access, generates responses to mask the original data, and restricts the requesting account to prevent further data interception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If privileged users are granted access to secure files for system management tasks, then system operability and user functionality are improved, but security risks increase as these users can copy and exploit sensitive data such as password hashes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments file access permissions by implementing copy protection flags on specific sensitive files (e.g., password hash files). This allows privileged users to read and access these files for legitimate system management tasks while preventing them from copying the data. The segmentation of read permissions from write/copy permissions resolves the contradiction by enabling operational access while eliminating security risks associated with data copying.
2Reliability
If copy protection is applied to secure files to prevent unauthorized copying, then security is improved, but legitimate privileged operations may be restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where copy protection status is dynamically evaluated based on user credentials and file attributes. When a privileged user attempts to access a protected file, the system verifies their authorization and provides appropriate access (read-only) while blocking copy operations. This feedback loop ensures that legitimate privileged operations continue to function while maintaining security constraints, thus resolving the contradiction between security and operational flexibility.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the system monitors and blocks copy requests for protected files, then data breach prevention is improved, but system performance and user experience may deteriorate due to additional processing overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-flagging sensitive files with copy protection attributes before any access attempts occur. Files containing sensitive information such as password hashes are marked in advance, so that when privileged users attempt to access them, the system can quickly evaluate the protection status and apply appropriate restrictions. This preliminary marking reduces real-time processing overhead during copy operations, as the protection status is already determined, thus resolving the contradiction between security monitoring and system performance.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to copy protection. A request to copy a file from a requestor with one or more privileges sufficient to access the file may be received. The file may be determined to be subject to copy protection. In response to determining that the file is subject to copy protection, a notification of the copy attempt may be transmitted. Copy protection may then be applied to the file.