Reconnaissance Agent for Broadcast Domain Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current penetration testing systems face challenges in reliably identifying network nodes that share a common broadcast domain, which is crucial for assessing cyber-attacks and distributing data effectively, due to limitations in existing methods that often result in incorrect conclusions or inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize reconnaissance agent software modules installed on network nodes to monitor and report data packets, allowing a penetration testing system to determine if nodes share a common broadcast domain by matching conditions such as packet types and timestamps, enabling accurate identification and potential attack methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated penetration testing systems are used to discover and report vulnerabilities, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to reliably identify broadcast domain members
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated intermediary component called a 'reconnaissance agent' that is deployed on each network node to monitor and report broadcast domain membership. This agent acts as a mediator between the penetration testing system and the network nodes, collecting accurate broadcast domain information through packet analysis and relayed to the testing system for precise identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual network scanning methods with automated computer-based packet analysis. The reconnaissance agents automatically capture network packets, analyze their contents to determine broadcast domain membership, and transmit this information to the penetration testing system, eliminating the need for manual network exploration while improving both speed and accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If manual penetration testing by expert consultants is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming nature and high costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service automation where reconnaissance agents are automatically deployed on network nodes to perform their own monitoring and reporting functions. The agents autonomously capture packets, analyze broadcast domain membership, and communicate with the penetration testing system without requiring continuous human intervention, enabling 24/7 operation and eliminating the need for expensive expert consultants for routine monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of network nodes through the reconnaissance agents that replicate the actual network infrastructure. These agent instances can be deployed, managed, and analyzed independently of the production network, allowing penetration testing to be performed on copies rather than directly on the live network, thereby improving safety and enabling parallel testing operations.
3Reliability
If comprehensive vulnerability testing is performed to ensure security, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to lengthy testing processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring network traffic and maintaining an updated database of broadcast domain members through the reconnaissance agents. This ongoing collection of network topology information is done in advance of specific testing events, so when vulnerability assessment is needed, the data is already ready, eliminating time-consuming network discovery phases and enabling rapid security assessments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous monitoring where reconnaissance agents operate non-stop to track broadcast domain membership changes and network traffic patterns. This uninterrupted data collection ensures that the penetration testing system always has current information about the network topology, enabling immediate and continuous security assessment without the need for periodic re-scanning or re-discovery of network structures.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for executing a penetration test of a networked system by a penetration testing system so as to determine a method by which an attacker could compromise the networked system, and/or for distributing common sets of data to nodes of a networked system. The methods and systems include identifying network nodes which have shared broadcast domains.