Identity Access Management for Networked Machine Remote Impersonation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote access management systems are susceptible to privilege escalation and data leaks due to excessive privileges granted to remote accessors, which can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive resources.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a remote interface that requires individualized authorization by an identity and access management system (IAM) for each command executed on a local compute device, analyzing the identity of the account operating the remote device, the impersonated identity, and resource attributes, and issuing time-sensitive authorizations to prevent excessive access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If remote accessors are granted excessive privileges to complete tasks, then task completion capability is improved, but security risk increases due to potential privilege escalation and data leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the authorization process into multiple discrete command-level approvals rather than granting bulk privileges. Each command executed by a remote accessor requires individual IAM authorization, breaking down continuous access into granular, controlled segments that limit the scope of potential privilege escalation while maintaining task completion capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic authorization where access privileges are not static but change based on the specific command being executed. The IAM system evaluates each command request in real-time against policies and resource attributes, providing time-sensitive authorizations that adapt to the current operational context rather than granting fixed, excessive privileges.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If individualized authorization is required for each command, then security is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary IAM system that acts as a mediator between the remote accessor and the local compute device. This intermediary handles the complex authorization logic, policy evaluation, and decision-making processes, shielding the underlying system complexity from the users while maintaining security through centralized, standardized authorization mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The IAM system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it authenticates identities, evaluates policies, determines authorization decisions, and manages session states. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be separate complex systems into a single unified authorization service, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive security controls.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If time-sensitive authorizations are issued, then privilege escalation risk is reduced, but authorization overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic re-evaluation of authorizations through time-sensitive tokens that expire after predetermined periods. This periodic action ensures that privileges are continuously validated and automatically revoked if not used within the time window, preventing long-term privilege escalation risks while maintaining efficient batch processing of authorization requests.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for identity and access management on networked machines are disclosed herein. An example non-transitory machine readable storage medium includes instructions to cause programmable circuitry to at least grant first permission to form a connection between a remote compute device and a local compute device based on a first identity of a first account, the connection to enable the first account to operate the local compute device by impersonating a second user, the second user associated with a second identity, access a request to execute a command on the remote compute device from the first account, and determine, based on the first identity of the first account and the second identity of the second user, whether second permission is to be granted to execute the command.