PostScript Interpreter Password Validation for Control Operators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional information processing apparatuses with PostScript interpreters face vulnerabilities where unauthorized users can execute control operators using the superexec operator without a password, compromising security.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus is designed with a reception unit for receiving PostScript data, an execution unit for processing commands, a setting unit for predetermined settings, and a determination unit to validate the execution of commands, specifically invalidating the superexec operator when a password is set, ensuring only authorized users can execute control operators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a password is set to the PS interpreter to secure control operator execution, then security is improved, but the ability to execute control operators legitimately is worsened due to the superexec operator bypassing the password requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the password protection mechanism adaptive and context-aware. The determination unit dynamically evaluates whether to apply password verification based on the type of control operator being executed. For standard control operators, password verification is required, but for superexec operators, the system can choose to bypass this verification based on predetermined settings, allowing the system to adjust its security behavior flexibly rather than rigidly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of password verification applicability by introducing a setting that determines whether password verification should be applied to superexec operators. This parameter change allows the system to modify its security behavior based on administrative decisions, enabling or disabling password verification for superexec operators without changing the fundamental password mechanism itself
2Ease of operation
If the superexec operator is enabled to allow parameter changes without password, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened as unauthorized users can execute control operators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of the determination unit that sits between the control operator execution and the password verification step. This intermediary evaluates the control operator type and the predetermined settings before deciding whether to enforce password verification, acting as a mediator that can allow or block execution based on the operator type and system configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing predetermined settings before execution that determine whether password verification should be applied to superexec operators. These settings are configured in advance by administrators, and the determination unit references these pre-established settings when evaluating control operator execution requests, avoiding the need for real-time security decisions
3Reliability
If password verification is strictly enforced for all control operators, then security is improved, but productivity is worsened due to increased authentication steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by selectively applying password verification only to certain types of control operators (standard operators) while exempting others (superexec operators) based on predetermined settings. This partial application of security measures allows the system to maintain security where needed while avoiding unnecessary authentication steps for operators that are intentionally designed to bypass verification, thereby improving overall execution efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus to communicate with an external apparatus includes a reception unit, an execution unit, a setting unit, and a determination unit. The reception unit receives data described in Postscript® from the external apparatus. The execution unit executes processing based on a command described in the data received by the reception unit. The setting unit performs a predetermined setting regarding execution of the processing. The determination unit determines, in a case where the reception unit receives data in which a command associated with a superexec operator is described, whether the execution unit executes the processing based on the command using the predetermined setting.