Interpolant Pattern Matching for Dynamic Threat Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pattern matching schemes are unable to detect threats in runtime environments due to their reliance on a priori knowledge of patterns, making them ineffective for unknown runtime contexts, particularly in dynamic computer data where patterns must be specified ahead of time.
Innovation Solution
Interpolant pattern matching dynamically constructs patterns to reflect the runtime environment by using placeholders that are modified with environmental variables, allowing for real-time inspection of input strings and data packets for suspicious patterns indicative of threats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional pattern matching schemes are used, then patterns can be specified ahead of time, but they cannot detect threats in runtime environments with unknown patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static pattern matching into dynamic pattern matching by allowing patterns to be constructed at runtime based on environmental variables. The system dynamically generates patterns from runtime context (such as process names, file paths, environment variables) and uses these dynamic patterns for threat detection, enabling the system to adapt to unknown runtime conditions while maintaining reliable threat detection.
2Measurement precision
If a priori knowledge of patterns is required, then pattern matching can be performed with known patterns, but it fails to reflect unknown runtime context
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces environmental variables as intermediaries between the known pattern framework and the unknown runtime context. These environmental variables act as placeholders that are filled with actual runtime values (such as process names, file paths, or environment variable values), enabling the system to incorporate runtime context information into pattern matching without losing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of pattern matching from static, pre-defined patterns to dynamic patterns that incorporate runtime environment variables. By substituting environmental variables into pattern templates and evaluating them at runtime, the system adapts pattern parameters to reflect the actual runtime context, thereby maintaining measurement precision while incorporating previously unavailable runtime information.
3Ease of manufacture
If static pattern matching is used, then the system is simple to implement, but it cannot detect threats in dynamic runtime environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pattern matching system into two components: a static pattern template framework and dynamic environmental variable substitution. The static templates provide the structural framework for pattern matching, while the dynamic variable substitution handles the runtime context insertion. This segmentation maintains implementation simplicity by reusing established pattern matching algorithms while enhancing threat detection effectiveness through dynamic variable evaluation at runtime.
Data Source
AI summary
Interpolant pattern matching reflects a runtime environment. Any interpolant finite automata (such as a DFA) using a regular expression may be modified with an interpolant string to create an interpolant finite automata (such as an IDFA). The interpolant string incorporates a placeholder that is then modified according to the runtime environment. An environmental variable or a directory path, for example, may be inserted into the placeholder at runtime. An input string may be pattern matched to the IDFA that reflects the runtime environment.