Network Credential Rotation and Vaulting for Weak Password Exposure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile network operators face challenges in managing cybersecurity oversight due to the proliferation of devices and environments, with threat actors exploiting default and easily-guessed passwords to gain unauthorized access, and existing solutions fail to efficiently address these vulnerabilities.
Innovation Solution
Implementing automated credential scanning, rotation, and vaulting processes using multi-factor authentication channels to identify and replace weak credentials with new, unique credentials stored in a secure password vault.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automated credential scanning and rotation is implemented across all network functions, then network security is improved, but system complexity and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments credential management into separate components: a credential library storing test credentials, a vault storing new credentials, and an automated system that scans and rotates credentials across multiple network functions. This segmentation allows each component to be managed independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components including a credential library that acts as a repository for test credentials, and a vault that serves as a secure storage for generated credentials. These intermediaries facilitate the credential rotation process without requiring direct manipulation of credentials on each network function, thereby reducing system complexity.
2Reliability
If comprehensive credential monitoring is performed across all devices and platforms, then security vulnerabilities are detected earlier, but operational overhead and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining a library of test credentials beforehand and automatically scanning network functions to detect default or weak credentials before they can be exploited. This proactive approach enables early detection of security vulnerabilities without requiring continuous manual monitoring, thereby reducing operational overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated credential scanning and rotation system operates autonomously without requiring continuous human intervention. The system self-manages the credential inventory, performs scans, detects vulnerabilities, and rotates credentials automatically, significantly reducing the time and resources required for security oversight compared to manual processes.
3Ease of operation
If default credentials are used on new devices and platforms, then device provisioning and setup are simplified, but security risks increase due to unauthorized access vulnerabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary credential rotation immediately after device provisioning or software updates. When a new device or platform is added to the network, the automated system scans it using test credentials from the library, detects default credentials, and rotates them to unique credentials before the device can be exploited, thus eliminating security risks while maintaining ease of provisioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where credential scans are performed regularly across all network functions. When default or weak credentials are detected, the system automatically triggers credential rotation and updates the vault. This feedback mechanism ensures that security risks are continuously monitored and addressed without interfering with normal device operations or provisioning processes.
Data Source
AI summary
Solutions are disclosed that provide for automated credential scanning, rotation, and vaulting. A multi-factor authentication channel is established for each network function (NF), of a plurality of NFs of a wireless network (e.g., cellular), having a subscriber interface and an out-of-band management interface. An attempt to log into each NF is made using test credentials from a first library of credentials and the multi-factor authentication channel. The first library of credentials includes default credentials, possibly organized by NF vendors model ID, and easily-guessed credentials. When the login attempt is successful (meaning the default or easy credentials were being used), new credentials are generated and stored in a password vault (a second library of credentials) associated with the NF. Some NFs may require use of a vendor-specified software application interface for logging in, which is launched and used for the login attempts.