Debugger Script Authorization Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Debugging software applications that require specific user authorization scenarios can be cumbersome and time-consuming, as modifying system-level credentials is often necessary to test authorization checks, which is difficult and inefficient, especially in systems like ABAP where strict authorization checks are mandatory.
Innovation Solution
A debugger script is used to control the debugging session, allowing for breakpoints at authorization checks, where the script evaluates and manipulates the authorization rules to simulate user authorization, enabling the execution of authorization checks without modifying system-level credentials, by comparing current values with predefined rules and modifying the return codes accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If system-level credentials are modified to test authorization checks, then authorization scenario testing is enabled, but system security and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (debugger script with authorization simulation functionality) that mediates between the testing requirements and the actual authorization checks. Instead of modifying system credentials directly, the script intercepts authorization check calls and simulates different user contexts, thereby enabling comprehensive authorization testing without compromising system security or credential integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of user authorization contexts through scripting. Rather than modifying real system credentials, the debugger script generates simulated authorization scenarios that mirror actual user permissions and restrictions. This copying approach allows testers to evaluate authorization behavior across multiple user profiles without touching the actual credential storage or system security configurations
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual credential modification is used for testing, then authorization checks can be tested, but time consumption and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service testing mechanism where the debugger automatically manages authorization scenario switching. The script monitors authorization check calls and autonomously adjusts the simulated user context based on pre-configured test scenarios, eliminating the need for manual credential modification. This self-service approach dramatically reduces testing time while maintaining comprehensive authorization validation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares multiple authorization test scenarios in advance through script configuration. Before actual testing begins, all required user contexts, permission sets, and test conditions are pre-defined in the debugger script. During execution, the script automatically switches between these pre-prepared scenarios, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual credential changes and enabling rapid iteration through multiple authorization testing cases
3Measurement precision
If stepping function is used to analyze each instruction, then detailed analysis is achieved, but execution time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the authorization check logic from the normal execution flow and handles it separately through breakpoint interception. When an authorization check is encountered, the debugger suspends normal stepping and activates the authorization simulation script, which processes the authorization logic independently. This extraction allows detailed analysis of authorization behavior without requiring step-by-step execution of every single instruction, significantly reducing debugging time while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables skipping of non-critical instructions through intelligent breakpoint management. The debugger script identifies and sets breakpoints only at authorization check locations, allowing the execution to run freely through ordinary code segments. This selective skipping maintains measurement precision at critical authorization points while dramatically reducing the time spent stepping through large volumes of non-essential instructions
Data Source
AI summary
For each statement of an application executing in a debugger script-controlled debugger session, if the statement comprises an authorization check for a user in regard to an object, and if the debugger includes a set of authorization rules associated with the object, then execution of the application is discontinued. Application values for each data field of the object are obtained. These values are compared to respective values specified by each rule of the set of authorization rules. If the current values do not match values specified by at least one of the rules, the authorization check is executed normally. If the current values do match values specified by at least one of the rules, then: the authorization check is skipped, a pass or fail value for the authorization check is registered by the executing application according to the at least one rule, and execution of the application continues normally.