Managed Software Remediation for Grayware Privacy
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the context of software security, existing systems struggle to effectively manage and mitigate grayware applications that request excessive privileges, leading to privacy leaks and undesirable behavior, as users often lack the technical knowledge to distinguish between legitimate and malicious actions, and current solutions fail to provide real-time remediation without modifying application binaries.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented system and method that employs a remediation engine to analyze application behavior, provide users with actionable reports, and allow dynamic personalization of application permissions, intercepting and modifying malware behavior in real-time to limit undesirable actions while retaining desirable functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users install applications with excessive privileges, then application functionality is improved, but security and privacy are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic permission management where application permissions are not fixed but can be adjusted in real-time based on actual behavior. The system continuously monitors application actions and dynamically grants or revokes permissions, allowing the permission state to adapt dynamically rather than being static at installation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different permission levels to different functions within an application. Instead of granting all-or-nothing permissions, the system provides fine-grained control where specific sensitive functions (camera, microphone, location) have their own independent permission states that can be controlled separately based on user preferences and behavior analysis.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If users block malware behavior, then security is improved, but desirable application functionality may be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent blocks only the harmful portion of application behavior while allowing legitimate functions to continue. The system analyzes application actions and selectively intervenes to prevent malicious activities (such as unauthorized data exfiltration or covert communication) while permitting normal operational functions to proceed without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous monitoring and feedback loops where application behavior is tracked, analyzed, and used to adjust permission decisions in real-time. The system provides feedback to users about detected behaviors and adjusts permission states based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop system that learns and adapts from observed application actions.
3Reliability
If real-time remediation is implemented, then security response is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary permission management layer between the application and the operating system resources. This intermediary component (the managed application execution environment) acts as a mediator that intercepts application requests, analyzes them against security policies, and grants or denies access to system resources, thereby providing real-time security without requiring complex modifications to the application itself or the core OS.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If application behavior is monitored and controlled, then privacy protection is improved, but user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables users to take control of their own privacy by providing self-service permission management capabilities. Users can directly view, modify, and revoke application permissions through the interface without needing to understand complex security concepts or contact support, making privacy management accessible and convenient for average users.
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed in one example a computer-implemented system and method, including upon determining that an application has a non-benign reputation, selectively installing the application based on a user input; and personalizing the application by running the application concurrently with a personalization engine to limit the application to benign behavior.