Kernel Security Module for Secure Script Execution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operating system kernels are insecure, vulnerable to credential theft and privilege escalation attacks, with existing solutions like new kernel development or kernel module modifications being impractical or unstable.
Innovation Solution
A kernel security module is implemented to provide a virtual machine sandbox for scripts, performing security verification through cryptographic key validation and executing only validated, predefined executable commands to enhance kernel stability and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If kernel modules are dynamically loaded into the operating system kernel to enhance security, then security functionality can be added, but the kernel becomes extremely susceptible to destabilization and crashes
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the kernel into a stable core component and a separate, sandboxed scripting layer. The secure scripting environment is divided into isolated components with restricted access to kernel resources, allowing security functionality to be added without compromising the stability of the core kernel.
Solution Approach 2:
A sandboxed scripting environment acts as an intermediary layer between untrusted user-space programs and the kernel. This mediator validates and controls all interactions, preventing direct access that could destabilize the kernel while still enabling security enhancements through controlled script execution.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an entirely new operating system kernel is built with security enhancements, then security vulnerabilities can be addressed, but development and maintenance becomes impractical
Solution Approach 1:
Security enhancement functionality is extracted from the core kernel and implemented as separate, sandboxed scripting modules. This allows security features to be developed, tested, and deployed independently without requiring complex modifications to the entire kernel codebase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static kernel to a dynamic architecture where security policies and functionality can be modified through loaded scripts without recompiling the entire kernel. This enables flexible security updates while maintaining the stability of the core kernel.
3Reliability
If kernel changes are merged into the kernel's code to enhance security, then security can be improved, but the process takes many months or even years
Solution Approach 1:
Security scripts are pre-validated and sandboxed before being loaded into the kernel. This preliminary preparation allows security enhancements to be deployed quickly as pre-tested modules rather than requiring lengthy integration and testing of kernel code changes.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of modifying the original kernel code, the system uses copyable, loadable script modules that can be independently developed and tested. These script copies provide security functionality without requiring permanent changes to the kernel source code, dramatically reducing development time.
4Ease of operation
If credentials are stored in system memory for kernel access, then kernel operations can function, but credentials become vulnerable to copying by malicious users
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements local quality control by creating a restricted access zone within system memory where credentials are stored with special protection attributes. The sandboxed scripting environment has localized access rights that allow necessary kernel operations while preventing unauthorized credential copying by malicious users.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed embodiments relate to secure and reliable customization of operating system kernels. Techniques include configuring a kernel security module for loading to an operating system kernel to run kernel-level scripts on the kernel, the kernel security module being configured to perform a security verification comprising operations of: identifying, at the kernel security module, a script received at the kernel security module for requested execution by the kernel, and verifying whether the script has a valid signature; determining, at the kernel security module and based on the security verification, whether to permit the script to be processed by the kernel; and identifying, based on the determining, executable code corresponding to the script to execute at the kernel.