PAM Credential Injection for Secure Legacy System Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional authentication methods, such as username-password combinations and two-factor authentication, are prone to security breaches due to password leaks, human error, and compatibility issues with legacy systems, especially when granting access to third-party entities.
Innovation Solution
A PAM appliance provides automated credential handling through secure credential selection, injection, and access control, using a credential manager to manage and transport credentials cryptographically, ensuring they are only revealed at the point of need, and employing a protocol agent to bridge disparate networks and protocols for seamless access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional username-password authentication is used, then ease of operation is improved, but security reliability deteriorates due to password leakage and human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Credential Manager as an intermediary system that handles credential storage, selection, and injection. This mediator between the user and the authentication system eliminates the need for users to directly manage passwords, thereby maintaining ease of operation while improving security through centralized, controlled credential management with automated credential injection at the point of need
2Reliability
If two-factor authentication with physical tokens is implemented, then security reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical tokens with software-based credential management. Instead of requiring physical hardware tokens, the system creates and manages digital credentials that can be automatically injected into applications. This copying approach maintains security functionality while eliminating physical hardware complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The Credential Manager operates autonomously to select and inject appropriate credentials without user intervention. The system self-manages credential storage, retrieval, and injection processes, eliminating the need for complex user-friendly token handling interfaces while maintaining strong security
3Reliability
If credentials are stored and managed centrally, then security reliability is improved, but loss of information risk increases due to credential leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments credential management into isolated functional components: the Credential Manager handles storage and selection, while credential injection occurs at specific points in the authentication flow. This segmentation limits the impact of potential breaches to specific isolated functions rather than exposing all credentials system-wide
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary credential selection and preparation in a controlled environment before injection. Credentials are pre-validated and prepared with appropriate security contexts, ensuring that only authenticated and authorized credentials are injected, thereby reducing information leakage risks
4Ease of operation
If manual credential management is performed, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming authentication processes
Solution Approach 1:
The Credential Manager performs preliminary credential selection and preparation before authentication is needed. Credentials are pre-organized, validated, and ready for immediate injection, eliminating manual selection and preparation time during actual authentication events
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically manages the entire credential lifecycle including storage, selection, and injection without requiring user actions. This self-service automation eliminates manual credential management tasks while maintaining operational simplicity, thereby improving productivity
Data Source
AI summary
A privilege access management (PAM) appliance can receive an access request from an accessor device via a web interface on a public IP address to access an endpoint device. The PAM appliance can establish a session via a secure connection between the accessor device and the endpoint device. The PAM appliance can inject a credential for an account to login the accessor device to the endpoint device.