Firewall Dynamic Rule Generation for Packet Processing Delays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network firewalls are vulnerable to attacks due to sequential processing of rules, which can lead to delays and inefficiencies, and conventional methods do not effectively utilize feedback mechanisms to create new rules for implicitly denied packets, resulting in discarded rules and reduced robustness.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for generating dynamic rules that apply drop rules to packets based on tracking information, creating a unique drop rule for implicitly denied packets and determining its sequence within the rule set to enhance processing efficiency and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sequential processing of rules is used, then rule application is straightforward, but processing delays occur when relevant policies are positioned towards the end in the sequence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic rule reordering where the firewall system automatically adjusts the sequence of rules based on observed traffic patterns. Frequently matched rules are moved to higher priority positions, while rarely matched rules are moved to lower positions. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by optimizing processing time without sacrificing the simplicity of rule application, as the system adapts to actual usage patterns rather than relying on static manual ordering.
2Device complexity
If deny policy is applied to handle large amount of incoming traffic, then traffic filtering is simplified, but vulnerability to attacks increases as hacking programs can send large traffic matching policies followed by harmful packets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by proactively analyzing traffic patterns before harmful packets can penetrate the firewall. The system continuously monitors incoming traffic and pre-generates dynamic drop rules based on identified attack patterns. This allows the firewall to block malicious traffic sequences (large matching traffic followed by harmful packets) before they can compromise the system, resolving the contradiction between simplified filtering and security reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the firewall system continuously monitors the effectiveness of deny policies and traffic patterns. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts rule sequences and generates new drop rules to counter emerging attack patterns. This feedback loop maintains security reliability while preserving the simplicity of deny policy application, as the system automatically adapts rather than requiring complex manual configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional methods provide dynamic rule generation, then rule adaptability improves, but feedback mechanism utilization is insufficient resulting in discarded rules and reduced robustness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a comprehensive feedback mechanism that tracks the performance and match rates of dynamically generated rules. The system continuously monitors which rules are effective in blocking malicious traffic and which are discarded. Based on this feedback, the system refines and optimizes dynamic rule generation, ensuring that only robust, effective rules are maintained in the active rule set. This resolves the contradiction by making rule adaptability reliable through systematic feedback-driven optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the firewall system to self-optimize its rule set by automatically analyzing traffic patterns, generating dynamic rules, evaluating their effectiveness, and refining the rule sequence without external intervention. The system serves itself by continuously improving rule robustness through automated feedback analysis, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability by making the rule generation process self-correcting and inherently robust.
Data Source
AI summary
Method and system for generating dynamic rules for a computer network firewall are provided. The method includes applying a plurality of drop rules to a plurality of packets that are received at a network interface. The plurality of drop rules are sequentially arranged rules and determine at least one of allowance and dropping of a packet based on corresponding tracking information. Then a unique drop rule is generated for dropping a set of packets based on an implicit deny rule. The implicit deny rule determines a drop for the plurality of packets. Thereafter, sequence for the unique drop rule in the plurality of drop rules is determined based on dropping of the plurality of packets. Accordingly, the unique drop rule is deployed in the sequence of drop rules.