Remote Privilege Elevation via Agent-Based Credential Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer systems face security breaches due to shared administrator credentials, which are only as secure as the credentials themselves and pose challenges in managing and tracing access to administrative functions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an agent on client devices that requests remote elevation of user privileges without requiring credentials, using a remote management system to evaluate and approve or deny these requests based on predefined rules, eliminating the need for shared credentials and enhancing security by providing temporary, credential-less administrator logons during remote access sessions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If shared administrator credentials are used for privilege elevation, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the credential verification process from the local system and relocates it to a remote management server. The agent on the client device requests elevation without embedding credentials, instead transmitting the elevation request to the remote server which verifies authorization and returns approval. This removes credentials from the operational flow entirely, eliminating the security risk while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote management server acts as an intermediary between the client device and the privilege elevation process. Instead of directly using shared credentials locally, the system introduces a mediator that receives elevation requests, verifies them against stored policies and user authorizations, and returns approval or denial. This intermediary layer eliminates the need for credential transmission while maintaining security.
2Reliability
If remote elevation requests are manually approved, then security is improved, but productivity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic approval rules that automatically adjust the elevation approval process based on contextual factors such as user role, time of day, requested privileges, and device state. For routine operations during business hours from authorized users, the system automatically approves elevation requests. For unusual or high-risk requests, it requires manual review. This dynamic approach maintains security while maximizing productivity for legitimate operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of the approval process based on the specific context of each elevation request. Rather than a static manual approval requirement for all requests, the system evaluates multiple parameters (user authorization level, requested privilege scope, time constraints, device state) and adjusts the approval mechanism accordingly. This allows automatic approval for low-risk scenarios while maintaining manual review for high-risk scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for end user elevation and anonymous administrative login are disclosed. An agent executing on a client device can provide a graphical element within a user interface presented by the client device upon detection of a request for elevated user privileges. Upon an interaction with the graphical element, the agent transmits, to a server, data corresponding to the request for elevated user privileges, and receives, from the server, a message indicating approval of the request for elevated user privileges. The agent provides, to the operating system of the client device, an indication that the request for elevated user privileges is approved. In an embodiment, the agent determines that a remote