Visual Stacked Interface for Network Protocol Fuzzing Configuration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Complex network protocol fuzzing is hindered by the difficulty in configuring and understanding the interdependent fields across multiple layers of network packets, making it challenging to identify vulnerabilities effectively.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface with a stacked representation of network protocol fields allows for simplified visualization and selection of fuzzable fields, enabling the generation and transmission of fuzzed packets while reporting instantaneous progress, thereby facilitating stateful fuzz testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If network protocol fields are configured for fuzzing by picking them by name, then the fuzzing configuration can be performed, but the complexity increases due to the need to know positional relationships and interdependencies between fields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the configuration interface from a text-based field name selection to a visual stacked representation where protocol fields are displayed in their hierarchical positional relationships. This dimensional change from 1D text input to 2D visual layout allows users to understand and configure field interdependencies intuitively without needing to memorize positional relationships
Solution Approach 2:
The stacked representation acts as an intermediary between the user and the complex protocol field configuration. It visually mediates the relationships between fields from different layers, showing which fields can be fuzzed together and which have interdependencies, thereby simplifying the configuration process without losing the necessary technical precision
2Reliability
If the number of fields to be fuzzed increases, then the coverage of fuzzing improves, but the complexity of fuzz testing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the protocol fields into hierarchical layers (e.g., transport layer, network layer, data link layer) and displays them in a stacked representation. This segmentation allows users to manage and configure large numbers of fields in organized groups, making it easier to understand which fields from different layers are interdependent and can be fuzzed together
Solution Approach 2:
By organizing fields in a multi-dimensional stacked layout that reflects their protocol layer hierarchy, the system provides a visual overview of field relationships. This dimensional organization helps users comprehend and manage the complexity of fuzzing multiple fields simultaneously by showing their positional and logical relationships
3Measurement precision
If stateful fuzzing is performed, then the accuracy of vulnerability detection improves, but the difficulty of configuring field interdependencies increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stacked representation serves as a visual intermediary that automatically displays field interdependencies and fuzzability status. It mediates between the user's fuzzing intent and the complex stateful configuration requirements by showing which fields can be fuzzed together while maintaining protocol state consistency, thereby improving vulnerability detection accuracy without proportionally increasing configuration difficulty
Data Source
AI summary
A method for visualizing interdependent network protocol fields for fuzzing and progress reporting includes providing a graphical user interface including a stacked representation of network protocol fields to be fuzzed. The method further includes displaying, in the stacked representation, an indication of network protocol fields that can or cannot be fuzzed. The method further includes receiving, via the stacked representation, selections of network protocol fields to be fuzzed and specifications of fuzzed parameter values for the selections. The method further includes generating and sending to a device under test network protocol packets with fuzzed parameter values according the selections and specifications.