Privilege Elevation Agent Using Remote Approval Instead of Shared Credentials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer systems face security vulnerabilities due to the reliance on shared administrative credentials for privilege elevation, which can lead to unintended security breaches if credentials are compromised.
Innovation Solution
Implement an agent on client devices to automatically request remote elevation of user privileges, eliminating the need for shared credentials, and utilize a remote management system to evaluate and approve or deny these requests based on predefined rules, with logging and auditing capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If shared administrator credentials are used for privilege elevation, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the credential verification process from the local system and relocates it to a remote management server. Instead of relying on shared local credentials, the system sends elevation requests to a remote server that validates and approves privilege escalation, thereby removing the security vulnerability of shared credentials while maintaining operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a remote management server as an intermediary between the local system and the credential validation process. This mediator receives elevation requests, performs security verification remotely, and returns approval decisions, eliminating the need for shared administrator credentials while preserving the ability to perform administrative operations.
2Productivity
If remote elevation requests are automatically processed, then productivity is improved, but security control is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic approval system where the remote management server can adapt its response based on the specific elevation request, user context, and predefined policies. The system can automatically approve routine requests for productivity while requiring manual review for suspicious or high-risk operations, thus balancing automation benefits with security control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback loop where the remote management server receives elevation requests, evaluates them against security policies, and returns approval or denial decisions. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically process safe requests efficiently while maintaining security control through policy-based evaluation and optional manual intervention.
3Reliability
If credential-less privilege elevation is implemented, then security is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the credential verification function with the existing remote management infrastructure. Instead of creating a separate credential management system, the elevation request processing is integrated into the existing remote management server that is already used for other administrative tasks, thereby improving security without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the remote management server multi-functional by having it handle both traditional remote management tasks and credential verification for privilege elevation. This universal approach allows a single system to perform multiple functions, reducing the need for additional specialized components and minimizing the net increase in device complexity while achieving credential-less security.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for end user elevation and anonymous administrative login are disclosed. An agent executing on a client device can provide a graphical element within a user interface presented by the client device upon detection of a request for elevated user privileges. Upon an interaction with the graphical element, the agent transmits, to a server, data corresponding to the request for elevated user privileges, and receives, from the server, a message indicating approval of the request for elevated user privileges. The agent provides, to the operating system of the client device, an indication that the request for elevated user privileges is approved. In an embodiment, the agent determines that a remote