Proxy-Based JavaScript Code Coverage Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dynamic security testing methods for client-side JavaScript in web browsers face challenges in measuring code coverage due to the dynamic nature of JavaScript execution, partial server-side generation, and the involvement of external third-party scripts, making it difficult to assess and improve code testing coverage effectively.
Innovation Solution
An HTTPS proxy is used to intercept and instrument all script code requested by the browser, allowing for transparent on-the-fly instrumentation and tracking of executed code paths, combined with a browser extension that simulates user interactions to provide page-specific code coverage metrics through a client-side, interactive interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If standard code coverage measurement mechanisms are used, then code coverage can be measured for server-side code, but they cannot measure coverage for client-side JavaScript composed from multiple heterogeneous sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a proxy server as an intermediary component that sits between the browser and multiple code sources. This proxy server instruments all JavaScript code from heterogeneous sources (CDN, local, dynamically generated) before delivery to the browser, enabling unified code coverage measurement across all sources without requiring changes to each individual code provider.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal code coverage measurement system that handles multiple types of code sources (third-party CDN scripts, locally hosted scripts, dynamically generated scripts) through a single instrumentation approach. The system provides multi-functional capability to measure coverage across the entire client-side JavaScript ecosystem regardless of origin.
2Measurement precision
If dynamic code analysis is performed without instrumentation, then the system can execute code naturally, but there is no information or measurement about the amount of code testing coverage achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The proxy server acts as an intermediary that performs automated instrumentation of JavaScript code without requiring manual intervention. The system automatically injects tracking instrumentation into all code from multiple sources, enabling precise code coverage measurement while minimizing the complexity burden on developers through centralized automated handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrumentation system is designed to be self-configuring and self-managing through the proxy server, which automatically identifies, instruments, and tracks all JavaScript code paths. The system serves itself by automatically generating the necessary instrumentation code and maintaining coverage data without requiring external configuration or manual setup for each code source.
3Measurement precision
If manual instrumentation is performed for each code source, then code coverage can be measured, but the process becomes complex and difficult to maintain with multiple heterogeneous sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal instrumentation mechanism in the proxy server that handles all heterogeneous code sources (CDN, local, dynamic) through a single unified process. This eliminates the need for separate manual instrumentation procedures for each code source, significantly simplifying the manufacturing and maintenance of code coverage measurement across the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The proxy server performs self-service automation by automatically detecting, instrumenting, and tracking all JavaScript code from multiple sources without requiring manual intervention. The system autonomously manages the instrumentation process, generating tracking code and maintaining coverage data, which greatly reduces the complexity and effort required compared to manual instrumentation approaches.
Data Source
AI summary
In an example embodiment, a proxy server receives a request from a web browser operated on a client device, the request including a call for computer code written in a scripting language. The request is forwarded to a web server to obtain the computer code written in the scripting language. The computer code written in the scripting language is automatically instrumented by adding instrumentation code to the computer code written in the scripting language, the instrumentation code configured to, when executed, measure one or more metrics and report the resultant measurements. Then the instrumented computer code written in the scripting language is sent to the web browser for execution.