HTTP Cookie Digital Signature Authentication Bypassing Captcha

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems face challenges in providing convenient and efficient access to application services for trusted devices while preventing unauthorized access, particularly from automated software, without relying on inconvenient challenge-response tests like Captcha.

Innovation Solution

The method involves setting an HTTP cookie on a communication device with a user or group identification signed digitally, which is verified by an application server to grant access to services, potentially bypassing proof-of-work tests for trusted devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If challenge-response tests like Captcha are used to prevent automated software access, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary authentication by setting HTTP cookies with digital signatures during initial device verification. This preliminary action establishes trusted device status before service access, eliminating the need for repeated challenge-response tests and maintaining both security and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces HTTP cookies with digital signatures as an intermediary authentication mechanism. These cookies serve as mediators between the communication device and application server, carrying verification information that replaces the need for direct challenge-response interactions and improves operational convenience while maintaining security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If digital signature verification is implemented for all devices, then security is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different authentication treatments to different devices based on their trusted status. Trusted devices with valid cookies receive streamlined access, while untrusted devices undergo full verification. This local differentiation maintains security for critical operations while reducing complexity for authenticated users

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial verification by checking only the digital signature in the HTTP cookie for trusted devices, rather than performing complete authentication routines. This partial action approach maintains security for the critical signature verification while reducing overall device complexity for routine operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of operation

If HTTP cookies with digital signatures are used for authentication, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of information increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidloss of information
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The application server provides feedback by verifying the digital signature in the HTTP cookie and determining trusted device status. This feedback mechanism ensures that authentication information is properly validated and maintained, preventing information loss while enabling convenient operation for trusted devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2224670B1Cookie verification methods and apparatus for use in providing application services to communication devices
Publication Date: 2019.03.13 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2224670B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2224670B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2224670B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

in one illustrative example, a method in a communication device adapted for communications using Hypertext Transport Protocol (HTTP) involves setting, at the communication device, an HTTP cookie which includes a user identification of a user of the communication device and a message portion which is signed with a digital signature of the user, The communication device sends, to an application server site via the communication network, a request message which includes the HTTP cookie. If verification of the digital signature at the application server site is successful, the communication device will receive access to an application service of the application server site. In one variation, the HTTP cookie is alternatively set with a group identification of a group with which the user is associated, and the message portion is signed with a digital signature of the group. The group may be a plurality of users associated with a service provider which provides the communication device access to a communication service in the communication network, In this case, the HTTP cookie may be set with a token retrieved from the service provider, where the token includes the digital signature of the service provider,