Recurrent Neural Network Malicious Code Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing computer systems, particularly smartphones, face challenges in efficiently and timely detecting emerging malicious activities and vulnerabilities due to the constant evolution of threats, with traditional security measures like firewalls and antivirus programs being insufficient against new threats.

Innovation Solution

A recurrent neural network is employed to analyze sequences of computer instructions, providing outputs on the likelihood of malicious activity at multiple points within the sequence, allowing for real-time detection and blocking of potentially harmful code, thereby enhancing the detection of vulnerabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional security measures (firewalls, antivirus programs) are used to detect malicious activity, then the system structure is simple and easy to implement, but the detection capability is insufficient against new and emerging threats

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical security measures (firewalls, antivirus programs) with a neural network-based detection system. The neural network learns patterns of malicious activity through training data, enabling it to detect new and emerging threats that rule-based traditional systems cannot identify. This substitution transforms the detection mechanism from static rule-matching to dynamic pattern recognition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the detection system by transitioning from discrete rule-based decisions to continuous probability outputs. The neural network provides likelihood scores for malicious activity, allowing for more nuanced detection thresholds and adaptive response strategies. This parameter change enables the system to handle uncertainty and gradations in threat assessment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If comprehensive analysis of code sequences is performed to improve detection accuracy, then the detection precision increases, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary analysis by evaluating code sequences at multiple intermediate points throughout the execution flow, rather than waiting until the end. This allows the system to detect malicious activity earlier in the process, reducing the effective processing time required to identify threats while maintaining comprehensive analysis coverage through the use of recurrence relations to carry forward contextual information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If real-time detection of malicious activity is implemented, then the response time is reduced, but the computational resources required increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse timeVSAvoidcomputational resources
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the code analysis process into discrete evaluation points throughout the execution sequence. By dividing the continuous analysis into manageable segments at key instruction points, the system can perform real-time detection without requiring exhaustive analysis of every single instruction. This segmentation allows for efficient resource utilization while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20190325134A1Neural network detection of malicious activity
Publication Date: 2019.10.24 GEN DIGITAL INC
  • US20190325134A1 patent drawing
  • US20190325134A1 patent drawing
  • US20190325134A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A method of identifying malicious activity in a sequence of computer instructions includes providing the sequence of computer instructions into a recurrent neural network configured to provide an output based on both the current instruction being input and at least one prior instruction in the sequence, and evaluating the provided sequence of computer instructions in the recurrent neural network at multiple points within the sequence. An output is provided indicating whether the network has determined the code sequence to that point is likely malicious.