Proxy-Agent Command Control Across Private Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Providing credentials for accessing resources within private networking environments to outside services presents security and scalability issues, as it is difficult to limit actions performed by outside services and ensure credentials are not shared or accessed maliciously, and modifying firewalls for targeted access is complex and difficult to scale.
Innovation Solution
Implementing agents within the private networking environment that register with a service, use tokens for authentication, and perform actions defined by action definitions from a queue, with a proxy component managing credentials to access the queue, allowing secure and scalable command and control by remote services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If credentials are provided to outside services for accessing private networking environments, then outside services can perform actions within the private environment, but security risks increase and scalability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments access control by creating multiple agents within the private networking environment, each with specific permissions and scopes. Instead of providing a single credential with broad access, the system divides access into granular units (agents) that can be independently controlled and monitored, thereby maintaining security while enabling versatile access for outside services.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary credential management system that acts as a mediator between outside services and private networking resources. This intermediary layer validates credentials, enforces access policies, and manages agent lifecycles, preventing direct exposure of credentials while enabling controlled access. The intermediary ensures security by verifying each agent's authorization before allowing actions within the private environment.
2Ease of operation
If credentials are provided to outside services, then actions can be performed remotely, but it becomes difficult to limit actions and prevent credential sharing
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic credential management where agents are created, activated, and deactivated based on real-time requirements. Credentials are not static but are dynamically provisioned for specific tasks and revoked after use or when no longer needed. This dynamic approach allows easy remote access initiation while automatically limiting actions to predefined scopes and preventing credential sharing through unique agent identities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the credential management system continuously monitors agent actions, validates them against predefined policies, and provides real-time enforcement. The system receives feedback about agent performance and security events, automatically adjusting access controls and revoking credentials when anomalies are detected, thereby simplifying access control while maintaining strict limitations on agent actions.
3Reliability
If firewalls are modified for targeted access, then security is improved, but complexity increases and scalability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of manually configuring firewalls with an automated software-based credential management system. Instead of modifying firewall rules for each access requirement, the system uses programmable credential validation and agent-based access control that can be dynamically adjusted through software. This substitution eliminates complex firewall configuration while maintaining targeted security through automated credential policies and agent scope definitions.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides an approach for inter-network command and control. Embodiments include receiving, by a proxy component of a service, from an agent of the service, a request to retrieve one or more action definitions. The agent may be located in a private networking environment, and the proxy component may be located in a networking environment external to the private networking environment. Embodiments include retrieving, by the proxy component, based on the request, the one or more action definitions from a queue associated with the service using a credential of the proxy component. Embodiments include providing, by the proxy component, the one or more action definitions to the agent. Embodiments include performing, by the agent, one or more actions within the private networking environment based on the one or more action definitions.