MiTM Proxy Client Authentication via Intermediary Mediation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional man-in-the-middle (MiTM) proxies for SSL/TLS protocols lack the capability to support client authentication, which is essential for secure communication sessions where servers require client verification.
Innovation Solution
A MiTM proxy system that intercepts client certificate requests, forwards them to clients, generates and signs response messages using a third-party system's private key, and sends these messages to the server to authenticate the client, thereby supporting client authentication within the SSL/TLS protocol.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional MiTM proxy is used for SSL/TLS protocols, then the proxy can intercept and forward SSL/TLS traffic, but the proxy cannot support client authentication when the server requires it
Solution Approach 1:
The MiTM proxy acts as an intermediary between the client and server, intercepting the client certificate request from the server, forwarding it to the client, and then intercepting the client's response. The proxy generates a second set of response messages containing a public certificate mapped to the client and a certificate verify message signed using a private key from a third party system (HSM, LDAP, Active Directory, or database), thereby mediating the authentication process on behalf of the client.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the MiTM proxy generates response messages with a public certificate and signed verify message, then client authentication is enabled, but the proxy requires integration with third party systems for key management
Solution Approach 1:
The MiTM proxy is designed to work with multiple third party systems for key management, including hardware security modules (HSM), lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) systems, Windows Active Directory systems, and databases. This multi-functionality allows the proxy to obtain public certificates and private keys from various sources, making the authentication mechanism universally applicable across different infrastructure environments.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems and computer readable media for a MiTM proxy that supports client authentication are described.