Privilege Delegation Agent for Disabled User Account Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing least-privilege access security models on computer devices are compromised when user account control services are disabled, leading to vulnerabilities and unpredictable execution of tasks that require administrator privileges, as standard users may execute tasks with only standard user privileges, resulting in unstable and unsuccessful outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A computer device with an agent cooperating with the operating system to intercept requests for process creation, determine if elevated privileges are needed by hooking queries, and delegate second privileges if the user account control service is disabled, ensuring processes are created with appropriate privileges, even if the service is disabled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If user account control services are disabled to improve usability and prevent repeated consent prompts, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened and tasks requiring administrator privileges may execute unpredictably with only standard user privileges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an agent as an intermediary component that operates between the disabled user account control service and the process creation requests. This agent intercepts process creation requests, determines whether elevated privileges are needed, and automatically delegates appropriate privileges without requiring user interaction. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining security functionality (improving reliability) while keeping the service disabled (maintaining ease of operation).
Solution Approach 2:
The agent implements self-service by automatically detecting when elevated privileges are required and delegating them without user intervention. The system monitors process creation requests, identifies those needing administrator privileges, and autonomously grants appropriate access levels. This eliminates the need for repeated user consent while maintaining security, thus improving both ease of operation and reliability simultaneously.
2Ease of operation
If user account control services are disabled to avoid indication of tasks requiring elevation, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision is worsened as the system cannot accurately identify which tasks require administrator privileges
Solution Approach 1:
The agent serves as an intermediary that restores detection capability by intercepting process creation requests and analyzing whether elevated privileges are needed. It examines the requested process, determines administrator privilege requirements, and accurately identifies tasks needing elevation without requiring the user account control service to be enabled. This maintains measurement precision while preserving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The agent performs preliminary analysis of process creation requests before they are executed, determining in advance whether elevated privileges are required. By pre-evaluating each request and preparing appropriate privilege delegation, the system maintains accurate detection capability without needing the user account control service active, thus resolving the contradiction between usability and detection accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If standard users execute tasks with only standard user privileges when user account control services are disabled, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability is worsened resulting in unstable and unsuccessful task execution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic privilege delegation where the agent adjusts privilege levels based on the specific requirements of each process creation request. Instead of fixed privilege levels, the system dynamically determines whether standard or elevated privileges are needed and grants appropriate access temporarily. This allows standard users to execute tasks successfully with appropriate privileges while maintaining the appearance of simple standard user operation, thus improving both ease of operation and execution stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The agent provides self-service by automatically monitoring process creation requests, identifying those requiring elevated privileges, and granting appropriate access without user intervention. This ensures that tasks execute with the correct privilege level for stability while maintaining ease of operation, as users simply request task execution without needing to manage privilege levels manually.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer device for managing privilege delegation to control creation of processes thereon is described. Creation of a process on a computer device is requested according to first privileges. An agent, cooperating with an operating system of the computer device, intercepts the request. The agent determines whether to create the process according to second privileges, different from the first privileges and if permitted, cause the process to be created accordingly. The agent hooks a query provided by the operating system to identify whether a control service is enabled. The agent enquires of the operating system whether to create the process according to the second privileges whereupon the hooked query is invoked. The agent confirms to the operating system that the control service is enabled, such that checks by the operating system are performed as if the operating system were enabled.