Automated Vulnerability Mitigation via NLP Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current security measures are inadequate in protecting computer resources from vulnerabilities until patches are released, leaving systems exposed to malicious attacks for 30-60 days after a vulnerability is detected.

Innovation Solution

A method using Natural Language Processing (NLP) and machine learning to analyze Common Vulnerability Exposure (CVE) data, identify affected resources, and automatically enforce intermediate mitigation measures, such as reducing functionality, to protect systems until a permanent patch is applied.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current security measures wait for patches to be released, then system functionality is maintained, but systems remain exposed to malicious attacks for 30-60 days

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity protectionVSAvoidexposure time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting vulnerabilities through NLP analysis of CVE data and applying intermediate mitigation measures before permanent patches are released. This proactive approach reduces the exposure window from 30-60 days to a minimal timeframe by pre-establishing protective rules that limit vulnerability exploitation while maintaining system functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary solution between vulnerability detection and patch deployment. The intermediary mitigation measures include automated rule generation that selectively limits vulnerable resource functionality rather than complete shutdown, serving as a temporary protective layer that bridges the gap until permanent patches are available.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If manual vulnerability mitigation is performed, then security protection is provided, but significant time and labor are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity protectionVSAvoidmitigation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service automation where the vulnerability mitigation process operates autonomously without manual intervention. The system automatically ingests CVE data, performs NLP analysis to extract vulnerability details, generates protective rules, identifies affected resources, and applies mitigation measures automatically. This eliminates the need for manual security teams to analyze and respond to each vulnerability, dramatically improving mitigation speed and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical processes with automated computational systems. Natural Language Processing algorithms substitute for manual vulnerability analysis, automated rule generation replaces manual security policy creation, and systematic resource identification replaces manual scanning. This mechanical-to-automated substitution transforms a labor-intensive process into an efficient automated system that can respond to vulnerabilities in real-time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If functionality of vulnerable resources is reduced for mitigation, then security is improved, but system capability is temporarily limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevulnerability mitigationVSAvoidsystem functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by selectively limiting functionality only of the specific vulnerable resources identified through NLP analysis and resource matching, rather than shutting down entire systems. The mitigation rules are precisely targeted to affect only the affected components, maintaining the functionality of unrelated system parts and minimizing operational impact while providing security protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The mitigation approach is dynamic and temporary rather than static and permanent. The system dynamically adjusts resource functionality based on vulnerability presence, automatically restoring full functionality when patches are deployed. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt its operational state to security requirements without permanent functional limitations, balancing security needs with operational capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11374958B2Security protection rule prediction and enforcement
Publication Date: 2022.06.28 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION
  • US11374958B2 patent drawing
  • US11374958B2 patent drawing
  • US11374958B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method provides an intermediate mitigation of a vulnerability in a particular computer system. One or more processors receive a description of a vulnerability of a computer system to a malicious attack. The processor(s) perform an NLP analysis of the description of the vulnerability in order to extract risk information related to the vulnerability, where the risk information includes an identity of a type of vulnerable computer system resource in the computer system. The processor(s) match the vulnerable computer system resource to a computer system resource in a particular computer system, and perform an intermediate mitigation action that reduces a functionality of the computer system resource in the particular computer system until a solution is implemented that both restores the functionality of the computer system resource in the particular computer system and mitigates the vulnerability of the particular computer system to the malicious attack.