Proxy Server Secure Transport Protocol Enforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current secure communication protocols, such as HTTPS and HSTS, are inadequate in addressing man-in-the-middle attacks during the initial communication session, as attackers can intercept and alter messages, leading to SSL strip attacks, and existing solutions like static lists are not scalable or comprehensive.
Innovation Solution
A proxy server with secure transport protocol enforcement logic and dynamically updated stored data determines whether a web server supports a secure transport protocol and provides a response to the client to initiate an initial secure communication message, preventing man-in-the-middle attacks by ensuring all communication sessions start with HTTPS.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If HTTPS is used for initial communication, then security against man-in-the-middle attacks is improved, but compatibility with servers that do not support secure protocols deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing secure HTTPS connections before actual data transmission. Connection establishment messages are sent over HTTPS to verify server support and establish encryption context, ensuring security is established in advance before any sensitive data exchange occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where connection establishment messages are transmitted through a secure HTTPS channel that acts as a mediator between the client and server. This intermediary secure channel verifies server support and facilitates the transition to encrypted communication without requiring the server to natively support HTTPS for all operations.
2Reliability
If static lists of secure servers are maintained, then security enforcement is improved, but scalability and comprehensiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static security lists to dynamic verification. Server support for secure protocols is determined in real-time through actual connection attempts and response analysis, allowing the security enforcement mechanism to adapt automatically to new servers and changing conditions without manual updates or pre-maintained lists.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service security verification where servers automatically demonstrate their HTTPS support capability through their responses to connection establishment messages. The client autonomously verifies server support by analyzing server responses, eliminating the need for centralized maintenance of secure server lists.
3Adaptability or versatility
If connection establishment messages are sent over non-secure HTTP, then protocol flexibility is improved, but vulnerability to SSL strip attacks worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by sending connection establishment messages over secure HTTPS before any non-secure communication occurs. This preliminary secure exchange prevents SSL strip attacks by establishing encryption context and verifying server support in advance, blocking the attacker's ability to intercept and downgrade the connection before security is established.
Solution Approach 2:
Secure protocol verification and connection establishment occurs as a preliminary action before any data transmission. The client sends HTTPS connection messages first to verify server support and establish secure context, ensuring that security measures are in place before any potentially vulnerable communication takes place.
Data Source
AI summary
In one example embodiment, a proxy server obtains, from a client, a query regarding a server with which the client is attempting to establish a communication session. Based on the query, the proxy server evaluates dynamically updated stored data to determine whether the dynamically updated stored data indicates that the server supports a secure transport protocol. Based on determining that the dynamically updated stored data indicates that the server supports the secure transport protocol, the proxy server provides a response to the client. The response causes the client to provide, to the server, an initial secure transport protocol message in the communication session.