Firmware Security Agent Intercepts Malware Requests Below OS
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Native operating system services limit the effectiveness of security software in filtering malicious activities, as malware can operate at the same level as security software within the operating system kernel, compromising both the OS and security software integrity, and kernel mode rootkits and malware hide their presence by tampering with user mode memory and process structures.
Innovation Solution
A firmware-based security system that intercepts requests for resources at a level below all operating systems, using a firmware security agent to determine if the requests are indicative of malware by consulting security rules, thereby operating below the OS to prevent malicious actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If security software operates within the operating system kernel, then it can filter and monitor system behaviors, but malware can operate at the same level and compromise the security software integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new hierarchical dimension below the operating system kernel by implementing firmware-based security agents at the boot level. This creates a layered security architecture where the firmware security agent operates at a lower tier than traditional kernel-mode security software, establishing a hierarchical relationship that prevents malware from compromising security software at the same level. The firmware layer acts as a foundational security boundary that malware cannot easily penetrate or tamper with.
Solution Approach 2:
The firmware security agent performs security validation and resource access control before the operating system kernel is fully loaded and before any user-mode or kernel-mode malware can execute. By intercepting resource requests at the firmware level during early system initialization, the security agent establishes protective measures in advance, preventing malware from establishing footholds or compromising security software integrity before the system becomes vulnerable.
2Reliability
If operating system services limit security software permissions, then system stability is maintained, but security software cannot filter all malicious behaviors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an additional security dimension below the operating system by implementing firmware-based security agents. This lower hierarchical layer enables the security agent to monitor and filter resource requests that originate from the OS kernel or user mode without being constrained by OS-imposed permission limits. The firmware layer observes all system behaviors from a foundational position, capturing malicious activities that would otherwise remain undetected due to OS service restrictions.
Solution Approach 2:
The firmware security agent acts as an intermediary layer between the hardware resources and the operating system. It intercepts and evaluates resource requests before they reach the OS kernel, providing an additional filtering stage that operates independently of OS permission mechanisms. This intermediary position allows the security agent to detect and block malicious behaviors while the OS maintains its stability-preserving permission structure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If kernel mode malware tamper with user mode memory, then malware can hide its presence and redirect execution, but detection capability of traditional security software is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The firmware security agent establishes protective measures before kernel mode malware can execute or tamper with memory. By validating resource requests and monitoring system behaviors at the firmware level during early initialization, the agent prevents malware from successfully injecting code or modifying memory structures. Even if malware attempts to hide later, the firmware layer retains records of early system state and resource access patterns that can reveal malicious activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The firmware security agent serves as an intermediary observation point between the hardware and the vulnerable software layers. It monitors resource requests and system behaviors from below the OS kernel, providing an unobstructed view of malware activities including memory tampering and execution redirection. This intermediary position allows detection of malicious patterns that would be hidden from traditional security software operating at the same level as the malware.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for securing an electronic device includes a non-volatile memory, a processor coupled to the non-volatile memory, a resource of the electronic device, firmware residing in the non-volatile memory and executed by the processor, and a firmware security agent residing in the firmware. The firmware is communicatively coupled to the resource of an electronic device. The firmware security agent is configured to, at a level below all of the operating systems of the electronic device accessing the resource, intercept a request for the resource and determine whether the request is indicative of malware.