One-Time Username Authentication for Brute Force Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
User enumeration attacks, where malicious actors attempt to gain access to secured systems by identifying valid usernames, are facilitated by system responses to attempted logins, and existing security measures are inadequate in preventing brute force attacks and account lockouts.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a one-time username (OTUN) system that generates a unique user identifier (UUID), reference key (REF-KEY), and signature key (SIG-KEY) for user authentication, where the OTUN is usable only once and expires after a predefined period, providing multi-factor authentication and minimizing the risk of account lockouts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional username-based authentication is used, then user identification is straightforward and system is easy to operate, but system is vulnerable to user enumeration attacks and brute force attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements one-time usernames that are valid for only a single authentication attempt or a limited time period. After use or expiration, the username becomes invalid, preventing attackers from repeatedly using the same username in brute force attacks. This disposable nature of authentication credentials directly addresses the security vulnerability while maintaining operational simplicity for legitimate users.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication system dynamically generates and invalidates usernames based on usage and time conditions. Rather than static usernames, the system creates ephemeral credentials that change state from valid to invalid after a single use or expiration event. This dynamic behavior adapts the security posture based on authentication attempts, blocking enumeration attacks automatically.
2Reliability
If one-time username system is implemented, then brute force attacks and user enumeration are prevented, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication service that manages the complexity of one-time username generation, validation, and invalidation. This intermediary layer handles the cryptographic operations and state management, shielding the rest of the system from complexity while providing simple authentication endpoints. The intermediary absorbs the computational and logical complexity of the ephemeral credential system.
3Reliability
If one-time usernames with expiration are used, then account lockout risk is minimized, but authentication time increases due to generation and validation processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-generating and caching validation rules for one-time usernames before authentication attempts occur. Expiration timestamps and validity criteria are established in advance, allowing rapid validation during authentication without complex real-time computations. This preliminary preparation reduces authentication time while maintaining security.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus may include a processor that may be caused to receive an authentication request to authenticate a user. The authentication request may include a one-time username associated with an identity of the user and a secret credential of the user. The processor may further identify, in a user registry, a unique user identifier based on the one-time username, and authenticate the user based on the unique user identifier and the secret credential. The apparatus may update the user registry to prevent the one-time username from being used again to identify the user for authentication.