Partially Privileged Containers for Host Modification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional virtual computing environments are inefficient due to the need to virtualize most or all aspects of the host computing hardware, leading to high memory consumption and extensive processing resources. Additionally, privileged containers that access the entire host environment compromise protection and isolation benefits.
Innovation Solution
A fine-grain selectable partially privileged container virtual computing environment allows processes to modify specific aspects of the host computing environment while maintaining protection and isolation by extending the host operating system kernel to interface with container-centric mechanisms for action authorization and recording changes in a sandbox.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional virtual machines virtualize most or all aspects of host computing hardware, then isolation and protection are achieved, but memory consumption and processing resource requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments virtualization into two levels: full virtualization for critical system components (kernel, hardware abstraction) and container-level virtualization for application isolation. This allows the host OS kernel to remain shared (reducing memory overhead) while containers provide process-level isolation through namespaces and cgroups, achieving protection without the full memory cost of traditional VMs.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of copying entire operating systems for each virtual machine, the patent uses copy-on-write filesystems where containers share the base OS image. When modifications are needed, only the specific changed blocks are copied to the container's private layer, dramatically reducing memory and storage requirements while maintaining isolation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If privileged containers are given access to the entire host computing environment, then processes can modify host environment aspects, but protection and isolation advantages are defeated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements fine-grained access control where containers can be granted specific privileges for particular host resources or operations rather than blanket access. The kernel enforces these local quality distinctions by allowing certain system calls or file accesses while blocking others, enabling selective modification of host environment aspects without compromising overall isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a privileged container intermediary layer that acts as a mediator between unprivileged containers and the host system. This intermediary can perform authorized host modifications on behalf of applications, maintaining security boundaries while enabling necessary access to host resources through controlled interfaces.
3Productivity
If containers virtualize only portions of the computing environment, then efficiency is improved, but the ability to modify host computing environment aspects is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes container privilege levels dynamic rather than static. Containers can transition between unprivileged and privileged states based on operational needs, and the kernel can dynamically adjust access controls during runtime. This allows efficient container operation for most tasks while enabling host environment modification when required through controlled privilege escalation.
Data Source
AI summary
A fine-grain selectable partially privileged container virtual computing environment provides a vehicle by which processes that are directed to modifying specific aspects of a host computing environment can be delivered to, and executed upon, the host computing environment while simultaneously maintaining the advantageous and desirable protections and isolations between the remaining aspects of the host computing environment and the partially privileged container computing environment. Such partial privilege is provided based upon directly or indirectly delineated actions that are allowed to be undertaken on the host computing environment by processes executing within the partially privileged container virtual computing environment and actions which are not allowed. Aspects of the host computing environment operating system, such as the kernel, are extended to interface with container-centric mechanisms to receive information upon which actions can be allowed or denied by the kernel even if the process attempting such actions would otherwise have sufficient privilege.