I/O Interface Security Screening Against Adversarial Hardware
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computer systems are vulnerable to hardware-based attacks through adversarial devices that emulate authorized hardware, such as keyboards, which can transmit malicious commands and data, especially in locked operating states, compromising system security.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that examine hardware device data transmitted through I/O interfaces, determine if it meets certain criteria, and initiate security processes, including disabling ports, generating notifications, creating audit trails, and loading custom security drivers to protect the system, while also considering security risk levels and locked operating states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the I/O interface port allows free attachment and recognition of hardware devices, then device compatibility and ease of operation are improved, but system security deteriorates due to vulnerability to adversarial device attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary examination of hardware device transmitted data at the I/O interface port to detect adversarial devices before they can compromise the system. By examining device data and determining whether it satisfies security criteria in advance, the system prevents malicious devices from establishing harmful connections, thus maintaining both ease of operation and system security
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary security examination mechanism between the I/O interface port and the computer system. This intermediary layer inspects transmitted data from attached devices, determines whether they meet security criteria, and only permits communication from authorized devices, thereby resolving the contradiction between free device attachment and system security
2Reliability
If the system examines and validates hardware device data at the I/O interface, then system security is improved, but processing time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs partial examination of hardware device data by focusing on critical security criteria rather than complete device characterization. The examination determines whether transmitted data satisfies specific security criteria (such as device classification and signature matching) without requiring full device validation, thus improving security while minimizing time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The security examination is performed as a preliminary action during device attachment, examining only essential security attributes before full device operation. This preliminary check of critical criteria (device class, signature string) allows rapid security validation without significant time penalty, enabling secure device recognition before comprehensive device initialization
3Reliability
If the system initiates security processes for every criterion-satisfying device, then security protection is improved, but system performance and operational speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies security processes locally and selectively based on the specific criteria satisfied by each device. Rather than uniformly applying all security measures to every device, the system initiates appropriate security processes only for devices that meet specific security criteria, thus providing targeted protection while maintaining overall system performance
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters dynamically based on device examination results. When a device satisfies security criteria, the system selectively modifies parameters such as enabling/disabling specific I/O ports or applying particular security drivers only where needed, rather than globally affecting system performance, thus maintaining productivity while ensuring security
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, computer program products, and systems are presented. The Methods, computer program products, and systems can include, for example: examining hardware device transmitted data received through an I/O interface port of a computer system; determining in dependence on the examining whether the hardware device transmitted data received through the I/O interface port of the computer system satisfies a criterion; and in response to determining that the hardware device transmitted data received through the I/O interface port of the computer system satisfies the criterion, initiating a security process for protecting the computer system.