Penetration Testing Node Classification for Privilege Escalation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current penetration testing systems, especially simulation-based ones, struggle to accurately assess the compromisability of network nodes, often assuming privilege escalation is always possible, leading to inaccurate conclusions about network system vulnerabilities.
Innovation Solution
A simulated penetration testing method that assigns network nodes to classes based on current compromisability, including red (fully controllable), blue (not compromisable), and purple (partially compromisable but not fully controllable) classes, allowing for precise determination of vulnerabilities and reporting on how an attacker can compromise the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If simulation-based penetration testing is used to assess network nodes, then the testing process is automated and efficient, but the accuracy of vulnerability assessment deteriorates due to incorrect assumptions about privilege escalation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the assessment of network node compromisability into distinct components: initial vulnerability exploitation and privilege escalation possibilities. By separating these assessments, the system can accurately determine whether a node is truly compromisable (red) versus merely having initial access points (purple), resolving the inaccuracy caused by blanket assumptions about privilege escalation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of node classification from a simple binary state to a multi-state system (red, purple, blue) that reflects different levels of compromisability. This parameter change allows the system to distinguish between nodes where privilege escalation is possible versus those where it is not, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining automated efficiency.
2Reliability
If automated penetration testing is implemented, then human errors in testing are reduced, but the ability to accurately assess complex privilege escalation scenarios deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously updates its assessment of node compromisability based on test results. When initial exploitation succeeds, the system feeds back to reassess whether full compromise is possible, rather than relying on static assumptions. This feedback loop enables automated systems to handle complex privilege escalation scenarios accurately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic re-assessment of node classification throughout the testing process. Rather than assigning fixed classifications, the system dynamically updates node status (blue/purple/red) based on discovered vulnerabilities and escalation paths, allowing automated testing to adapt to complex scenarios while maintaining consistency.
3Device complexity
If privilege escalation is assumed to always be possible, then the testing process is simplified, but the accuracy of security vulnerability reporting deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vulnerability assessment into two distinct questions: (1) Can the node be initially compromised? and (2) Can full control be achieved after initial compromise? This segmentation eliminates the need to assume privilege escalation is always possible, providing accurate reporting while keeping the testing process structured and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simulation to copy and model the attacker's progression through the system, assessing privilege escalation possibilities in the simulated environment rather than making assumptions. This copying approach provides accurate vulnerability reporting without requiring complex real-world testing for each scenario.
Data Source
AI summary
A simulated penetration testing system that assigns network nodes of the tested networked system to classes based on current information about the compromisability of the nodes at a current state of a penetration testing campaign, the classes consisting of (i) a red class for nodes known to be compromisable by the attacker in a way that gives the attacker full control of the nodes, (ii) a blue class for nodes that are not known to be compromisable by the attacker, and (iii) a purple class for nodes known to be compromisable by the attacker in a way that does not give the attacker full control of the purple-class-member network node. The campaign tests whether an attacker would be able to achieve full control of a target node by using privilege escalation techniques and one or more access rights achieved by compromising the target node.