Dynamic Code Instrumentation for Cleartext Capture in Encrypted Traffic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for monitoring and troubleshooting encrypted network communications struggle with capturing and understanding cleartext data, as existing solutions require manual intervention, specialized agents, or extensive configuration, making them impractical for large and complex deployments.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for dynamically instrumenting user code to capture cleartext data before transformation, using user-level and system-level collection mechanisms that automatically adapt to run-time changes, without requiring manual intervention or restarts, and work with existing systems to efficiently extract and store cleartext data for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional monitoring methods are used for encrypted communications, then system security is maintained, but data analysis capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts cleartext data from the encryption pipeline by intercepting data at specific breakpoints before transformation occurs. User-level collection mechanisms capture data at user-space breakpoints, while system-level collection mechanisms capture data at kernel-space system calls, separating the analysis function from the secure transmission function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary collection mechanisms that act as mediators between the encrypted communication pipeline and the analysis system. These mechanisms (user-level and system-level collection mechanisms) intercept data without breaking encryption, serving as trusted intermediaries that enable monitoring while preserving security.
2Measurement precision
If manual intervention and specialized agents are used for cleartext capture, then data capture accuracy is improved, but deployment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service instrumentation where the system automatically identifies breakpoints, inserts collection mechanisms, and captures data without manual intervention. The instrumentation facility dynamically locates transformation functions and sets up monitoring points autonomously, eliminating the need for specialized agents or manual configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic instrumentation that automatically adapts to runtime changes in the target process. The system dynamically identifies transformation functions, updates breakpoints, and adjusts collection mechanisms as the process executes, enabling accurate capture without static configuration or manual reconfiguration.
3Reliability
If data is transformed for security, then communication security is improved, but monitoring capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by capturing data at breakpoints before the transformation function executes. By intercepting data at user-space breakpoints or system call entries, the system preserves cleartext copies prior to encryption, enabling monitoring without affecting the subsequent secure transformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the data capture process into distinct phases: user-level capture at application breakpoints and system-level capture at kernel system calls. This segmentation allows comprehensive monitoring of data at multiple points in the transformation pipeline while maintaining security boundaries.
4Reliability
If extensive configuration is required for existing solutions, then data capture reliability is improved, but operational ease deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The instrumentation facility performs self-service configuration by automatically identifying target processes, locating transformation functions, and setting up collection mechanisms without operator intervention. The system reads process memory, identifies SSL/TLS functions, and configures breakpoints autonomously, eliminating extensive manual setup.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes operational parameters by adjusting collection points, capture depths, and processing thresholds at runtime. The system adapts to different encryption implementations and data volumes automatically, providing reliable capture across varying conditions without requiring operator reconfiguration.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for dynamically instrumenting code to capture cleartext from transformed communications are provided. In one technique, an operating system (OS) mechanism receives an OS call. The OS mechanism determines whether the OS call is of a particular type. In response to determining that the OS call is of the particular type, a certain location within executable code of a unction is identified. A user-level collection mechanism is inserted at the certain location. After inserting the user-level collection mechanism, code at the certain location is executed that causes the user-level collection mechanism to be executed.