Moving Target Defense via Distributed Hash Table Rendezvous
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network-based moving target defense solutions face scalability and security challenges when applied to servers handling a large number of clients, as they rely on statically defined pre-shared information, which is logistically difficult to distribute and configures, and increases the attack surface.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a Client/Server Moving Target IPv6 Defense (CSMT6D) system uses a Distributed Hash Table (DHT) for blind rendezvous to securely and dynamically exchange configuration data, leveraging public/private key pairs and cryptographically strong algorithms to generate secure locations for configuration information, allowing a server to maintain moving target connections with thousands of clients while maintaining anonymity and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If statically defined pre-shared information is used to establish connections in moving target defense systems, then connection establishment is straightforward, but scalability to large numbers of clients becomes extremely challenging and security is compromised due to information leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a public key infrastructure as an intermediary mechanism. Instead of directly sharing static configuration information between server and clients, each client generates its own key pair and shares only its public key with the server. The server uses these public keys to establish secure channels, eliminating the need for pre-distributed static information and enabling scalable client connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static pre-shared information to dynamic configuration data. Configuration information is no longer fixed but is generated and exchanged dynamically during connection establishment, allowing the system to scale to numerous clients without compromising security or requiring complex pre-configuration logistics.
2Ease of operation
If statically defined pre-shared information is distributed across many systems, then connection establishment is simplified, but the attack surface grows and security benefits of moving target defense are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Public key cryptography serves as an intermediary that eliminates the need for distributing static secret information across multiple systems. Each system generates its own keys locally, and only public keys are exchanged, removing the attack surface associated with pre-shared information distribution while maintaining secure connection establishment.
Solution Approach 2:
Each client system autonomously generates its own cryptographic key pair without requiring external configuration or information distribution. This self-service approach eliminates the need for centralized configuration management and reduces the attack surface by removing static pre-shared information from the system.
3Reliability
If manual configuration of static information is performed on distributed systems, then security can be maintained, but logistical overhead and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated key pair generation and public key exchange, eliminating manual configuration processes. Each client automatically generates its cryptographic credentials and the server automatically processes these keys to establish secure connections, reducing configuration time from hours or days to seconds while maintaining security through cryptographic protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration model shifts from static pre-distributed information to dynamic key-based authentication. This parameter change automates the configuration process, as systems can independently generate and exchange cryptographic parameters without human intervention, dramatically reducing configuration time and logistical overhead.
4Productivity
If a server maintains connections with thousands of clients using static configuration, then service coverage is expanded, but information leakage risk increases and security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Public key cryptography acts as an intermediary mechanism that enables the server to securely manage connections with thousands of clients simultaneously. Each client's unique public key serves as a secure identifier, allowing the server to establish individual encrypted channels without sharing common secret information, thus expanding service coverage while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static configuration parameters to dynamic cryptographic parameters for each client connection. This allows the server to scale to thousands of clients by generating unique session parameters dynamically, preventing information leakage that would occur with static pre-shared configuration while maintaining broad service coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method performs a moving target blind rendezvous by exchanging data through a distributed hash table. The system allows users to securely send small pieces of information over a network while only requiring an exchange of public keys ahead of time. The system relies on the size and resilience of the BitTorrent Distributed Hash Table and the security properties of cryptographic constructions such as Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman key exchange and secure one-way hash functions.