Multi-Layer Infrastructure Vulnerability Remediation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-layer infrastructure stacks face challenges in securing infrastructure elements across various layers due to vulnerabilities such as passthrough channels and exposed network connections that do not satisfy security policies, leading to potential security threats and limited visibility for IT administrators.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves obtaining vulnerability information from catalogs, exchanging this information across layers, identifying remedial actions, and automatically initiating updates to mitigate security vulnerabilities, specifically addressing passthrough channels and insecure network connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual security vulnerability assessment is performed across multiple infrastructure layers, then security coverage is improved, but IT administrator time and effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automated vulnerability assessment where the infrastructure stack automatically discovers, assesses, and remediates security vulnerabilities across multiple layers without requiring manual administrator intervention. The patent implements automated agents that continuously monitor infrastructure components, perform vulnerability scanning, and apply fixes, thereby maintaining comprehensive security coverage while eliminating the time burden on administrators.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary vulnerability assessments by continuously monitoring and scanning infrastructure components before actual security threats can exploit vulnerabilities. The patent implements proactive vulnerability detection mechanisms that identify security issues in advance, allowing administrators to address potential threats before they materialize into actual security breaches, thus improving security coverage without requiring continuous manual intervention.
2Loss of information
If comprehensive vulnerability scanning is performed across all infrastructure layers, then security visibility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the complex multi-layer infrastructure into manageable assessment units, with each layer (hardware, firmware, software, virtualization) being independently scanned and assessed. The patent implements modular vulnerability assessment agents that operate at different infrastructure levels, allowing comprehensive security visibility to be achieved through organized, layered scanning rather than monolithic complex scanning of the entire stack.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs universal vulnerability assessment agents that can operate across multiple infrastructure layers with a single toolset. The patent implements multi-functional scanning capabilities that can assess hardware, firmware, software, and virtualization components using standardized protocols and methods, thereby achieving comprehensive security visibility without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Reliability
If security policies are enforced across all layers of the infrastructure stack, then security consistency is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic security policy enforcement that automatically adapts to different infrastructure layers and contexts. The patent employs flexible policy engines that can apply security rules dynamically based on the specific layer being assessed, the type of vulnerability detected, and the current system state, thereby maintaining security consistency across all layers while allowing operational simplicity through automated policy application rather than manual configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor security policy compliance across infrastructure layers and automatically adjust enforcement actions. The patent implements closed-loop control where vulnerability assessments feed into policy evaluation, which then triggers automated remediation actions, ensuring security consistency is maintained across all layers while reducing operational complexity through automated feedback-driven enforcement.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are provided for identifying and mitigating security vulnerabilities in multi-layer infrastructure stacks. One method comprises obtaining vulnerability information associated with a security vulnerability for a component in a server device, wherein the server device is associated with a multi-layer infrastructure stack, and wherein the vulnerability information is obtained from a vulnerability catalog that identifies the security vulnerability for the component; exchanging at least portions of the vulnerability information among at least some layers of the multi-layer infrastructure stack; identifying a remedial action to mitigate the security vulnerability using an update catalog that identifies a remedial action for the component to mitigate a corresponding security vulnerability; and automatically initiating the remedial action. The security vulnerability can be associated with (i) a passthrough channel between two components that reside in non-adjacent layers of the multi-layer infrastructure stack; and/or (ii) an interface that exposes a network connection.