Proxy Server Detecting Encrypted Tunneling via SSL Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for securing computer networks are vulnerable to internal threats such as tunneling, which allows users to bypass security features and access restricted content or transmit confidential information undetected, posing a risk to organizational security.
Innovation Solution
A computer-assisted method and apparatus for detecting encrypted tunneling by analyzing information from a proxy server, extracting HTTP CONNECT function data, determining destinations, and negotiating HTTPS sessions to identify SSL certificates and detect tunneling applications, using characteristics of SSL certificates and TCP/IP responses to differentiate between standard HTTPS and encrypted tunneling traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) are implemented to protect network security, then network security monitoring capability is improved, but the systems remain vulnerable to internal threats such as tunneling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a proxy server as an intermediary between users and the internet. This proxy server acts as a mediator that all traffic must pass through, enabling the organization to monitor and control communications while maintaining the ability to detect tunneling attempts. The proxy server captures CONNECT requests and forwards them to a tunneling detection system for analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring traffic patterns, analyzing SSL certificates, and comparing detected tunneling attempts against known signatures. The system provides feedback to security administrators about detected tunneling activities, enabling proactive response and continuous improvement of security measures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users are allowed to create SSH tunnels to access remote services, then user flexibility and access capability are improved, but the organization loses visibility and control over communications
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by intercepting and analyzing CONNECT requests before actual tunneling traffic is established. By detecting tunneling attempts at the connection establishment phase rather than after the tunnel is fully operational, the system maintains visibility and control while still allowing legitimate traffic to proceed.
Solution Approach 2:
The proxy server serves as an intermediary that receives CONNECT requests from users attempting to create tunnels. Instead of allowing direct tunnel establishment, the proxy server forwards these requests through a controlled channel where they can be monitored, analyzed, and potentially blocked before the actual encrypted traffic flows.
3Measurement precision
If the system monitors and analyzes all HTTPS traffic to detect tunneling, then detection accuracy is improved, but processing complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by focusing detection efforts on specific characteristics of tunneling traffic rather than analyzing all traffic uniformly. It examines particular attributes such as SSL certificate validity, CONNECT request patterns, and destination port assignments. This targeted approach maintains high detection accuracy while reducing overall processing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system is segmented into multiple specialized components: a proxy server for intercepting CONNECT requests, a tunneling detection system for analyzing traffic patterns, an SSL certificate validation module, and a signature-based detection engine. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in specific detection tasks, improving overall accuracy while distributing processing complexity across multiple manageable modules.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer assisted method for detecting encrypted tunneling or proxy avoidance is provided. The method may include electronically receiving information from a proxy server, extracting information regarding a CONNECT function of Hyper Text Transport Protocol (HTTP) from the electronically received information, determining at least one destination to which the extracted information regarding the CONNECT function of HTTP corresponds and attempting to negotiate a standard HTTPS session with each of the at least one destination. Further, the computer assisted method may further include, for each of the at least one destination, determining whether the destination is hosting an encrypted tunneling or proxy avoidance application, wherein such a determining may be based on characteristics of an Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificate associated with the destination or a response received from the destination over a TCP/IP connection.