Injection Attack Sensor Using Taint Tracking and Syntax Templates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer network security methods, particularly in cloud contexts, struggle to accurately detect and differentiate between successful and unsuccessful network intrusion attempts, often resulting in false positives and false negatives.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a tainting engine that tracks tainted data within a cloud application, combined with a syntax attack detection template, allows for the detection of attempted injection attacks even if they are avoided or unsuccessful, by analyzing mock executable statements for syntax manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If web application firewalls are used to inspect data, then network security detection capability is improved, but false positives and false negatives increase due to generic detection approaches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection process into multiple specialized components: a tainting engine that tracks data provenance, a syntax attack detection template that analyzes specific attack patterns, and an executable statement parser that validates syntax. This segmentation allows each component to focus on a specific aspect of intrusion detection, improving overall accuracy while reducing false positives through specialized analysis rather than generic inspection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a tainting engine as an intermediary that tracks the origin and flow of user input data through the application. This intermediary component bridges the gap between raw input data and the detection templates, providing contextual information about data provenance that enables more accurate detection decisions and reduces false positives by distinguishing between legitimate and malicious data sources.
2Adaptability or versatility
If static code analysis is used to detect attacks, then detection coverage is improved, but the ability to detect actual successful attacks deteriorates due to lack of runtime data observation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static code analysis to dynamic runtime detection by implementing a tainting engine that actively tracks data flow during application execution. The system dynamically generates syntax attack detection templates based on observed executable statements and their actual runtime behavior. This dynamic approach maintains broad detection coverage while improving precision in identifying successful attacks by observing actual data flow and execution context.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the executable statement parser analyzes actual runtime statements and provides information back to the detection system. This feedback loop allows the system to learn from observed attack patterns and adjust detection sensitivity, improving the ability to detect successful attacks while maintaining versatility across different attack types through adaptive template generation.
3Loss of time
If early intrusion detection is implemented, then prevention capability is improved, but the ability to distinguish successful from unsuccessful attacks deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by proactively generating syntax attack detection templates before attacks occur and using the tainting engine to pre-track data flow paths. The system prepares detection rules in advance based on the application's executable statements, enabling early detection while maintaining the precision to differentiate attack success by analyzing the actual impact of tainted data on statement execution and syntax manipulation.
Data Source
AI summary
A tainting engine can work in conjunction with a syntax attack detection template to identify when a threat actor attempts a malicious attack in a cloud application scenario. Non-intrusive instrumentation can be used to provide detection of an attempted attack regardless of whether the cloud application is vulnerable to such attacks. Detection of attempted attacks can be an important part of maintaining network security, even in cases where an application itself is not vulnerable to such attacks. Further details about the attempted attack can be assembled, and a variety of actions can be taken in response to detection.