Privilege Delegation Agent Plugin Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for managing privilege delegation in computer devices are cumbersome, requiring skilled configuration and prone to human error, and do not scale well across organizations, with user interfaces often inadequate for diverse user groups.
Innovation Solution
An agent component determines whether to allow or block privilege delegation for requested commands through communication with a plugin, ensuring that commands are executed only with delegated privileges when permitted, and provides custom messaging and auditing capabilities, with a policy file defining access rules that can be centrally managed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional delegated privilege management utilities are configured manually on each device, then privilege delegation can be controlled, but the configuration overhead increases significantly and errors occur more frequently in large organizations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple privilege management functions into a unified agent-plugin architecture. The agent centrally manages policies while plugins handle specific command evaluations, merging configuration management, authentication, and command control into a single integrated system that eliminates manual per-device configuration overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary agent that acts as a mediator between users and the privilege management system. The agent receives policy definitions, distributes them to plugins, and coordinates authentication and command execution, thereby centralizing control and reducing configuration errors across multiple devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex configuration settings are provided for privilege delegation, then fine-grained control is achieved, but the user interface becomes inappropriate for users with diverse skills and training requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the privilege management system into distinct functional components: policy definition, authentication, command evaluation, and execution control. Each plugin handles specific command types with tailored interfaces, allowing complex control where needed while presenting simplified interfaces to users through the unified agent.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic interface adaptation where the plugin system can present different interaction modes based on user credentials, command types, and policy requirements. The agent dynamically adjusts the level of detail and complexity presented to users, providing simple interfaces for routine operations and detailed controls when necessary.
3Stability of the object's composition
If centralized policy management is implemented across the network, then consistency is improved, but the system complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal agent architecture that can be deployed across diverse devices and operating systems with a single implementation. The agent handles multiple functions including policy distribution, authentication coordination, and plugin management, providing centralized control without requiring device-specific customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses template-based policy definitions that can be copied and distributed across the network. The agent stores master policy templates and automatically generates device-specific configurations, ensuring consistency while simplifying implementation through template replication rather than manual configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
Privilege delegation in a computer device is managed by invoking a utility by a first user account. A requested command is captured by an agent plugin which is provided as a plugin to the utility. The agent plugin sends a request message to an agent, which determines an outcome for the requested command including allowing or blocking. If allowed, a reply message from the agent instructs the agent plugin to provide command information to the utility to run the requested command by the operating system with delegated privileges of the second user account. The agent plugin can also be instructed to perform custom messaging, or passively handle the requested command via a child plugin.