Debugging Breakpoints for Software Security Vulnerability Pinpointing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Developers spend significant time manually analyzing software applications to identify security vulnerabilities, despite existing analysis methods like white-box and black-box testing, as these methods do not effectively pinpoint vulnerabilities during execution.
Innovation Solution
A method is provided to set a debugging breakpoint within a software application correlated with an attack, perform the attack in debugging mode, halt execution when the breakpoint is triggered, and display relevant instructions and attack details in an interactive debugging session, making execution environment values available for inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If white-box testing or black-box testing is performed to identify security vulnerabilities, then security analysis is conducted, but developers still spend significant time manually analyzing application instructions to identify actual vulnerabilities
Solution Approach 1:
A debugger is introduced as an intermediary tool between the security testing processes and the developer. The debugger automatically correlates attack results with specific application instructions, sets breakpoints, and presents vulnerabilities in context, eliminating the need for developers to manually analyze instructions while maintaining reliable vulnerability identification
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of poring over instructions is replaced with an automated debugging system that uses breakpoints and contextual display to automatically present security vulnerabilities to developers, significantly reducing the time required while maintaining identification accuracy
2Measurement precision
If existing security analysis methods are used, then security testing is performed, but the methods do not effectively pinpoint vulnerabilities during execution
Solution Approach 1:
The vulnerability identification process is segmented into distinct phases: attack execution, breakpoint triggering at vulnerable instructions, and contextual display of the specific instruction and attack correlation. This segmentation enables precise pinpointing of vulnerabilities during execution while maintaining ease of operation through automated debugging session management
Solution Approach 2:
The approach adds a temporal dimension by pinpointing vulnerabilities during actual execution rather than through static analysis alone. By setting breakpoints that trigger during attack execution, the system provides precise location information combined with execution context, improving both accuracy and ease of identification
Data Source
AI summary
A build process management system can acquire data pertaining to a software build process that is currently being executed by an automated software build system. The software build process can include executable process steps, metadata, and/or environmental parameter values. An executable process step can utilize a build artifact, representing an electronic document that supports the software build process. The acquired data can then be synthesized into an immutable baseline build process and associated baseline artifact library. The baseline artifact library can store copies of the build artifacts. The immutable baseline build process can include baseline objects that represent data values and dependencies indicated in the software build process. In response to a user-specified command, an operation can be performed upon the baseline build process and associated baseline artifact library.