Automated Root Shell Discovery via Decision Tree for Network Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated testing platforms face challenges in accessing underlying operating system shells on network devices, as they are often dropped into a command line interface (CLI) instead of a shell, preventing the execution of privileged commands necessary for security checks and other assessments.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a control server that gathers fingerprint data from the target device, generates a decision tree based on this data, traverses the tree to determine a path to the root shell, and uses the identified path to connect and execute privileged commands, enabling access to the root shell for security assessments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a testing platform logs in to a network device for automated testing, then the testing platform can access the device interface, but the login connection does not guarantee access to a shell and drops the platform into a CLI instead
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by gathering device information and generating a decision tree before attempting to access the shell. The decision tree is constructed in advance with multiple potential paths to shell access, allowing the system to automatically adapt to different device types without manual configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts its approach by traversing the decision tree and selecting paths based on device-specific characteristics. The automated shell access mechanism adjusts its behavior in real-time based on the device response, transitioning from a static login approach to a dynamic shell access strategy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If vendors provide means to access underlying operating system shells, then shell access is possible, but testing platforms do not have capabilities of discovering the shell or knowing how to access it
Solution Approach 1:
The system serves itself by automatically gathering device information, generating the decision tree, and executing the shell access sequence without external intervention. The automated mechanism discovers and accesses shells on various device types using its own built-in capabilities, eliminating the need for vendor-specific configuration assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The decision tree structure provides a universal solution that works across multiple device types and vendors. A single automated mechanism handles diverse shell access scenarios by selecting appropriate paths from the pre-generated decision tree, making the system multi-functional without requiring device-specific customizations.
3Measurement precision
If security checks require execution from a shell, then accurate security assessment is possible, but these security checks cannot be performed from a network device's CLI
Solution Approach 1:
The decision tree acts as an intermediary mechanism that bridges the gap between the CLI interface and the shell environment. It translates high-level security testing requirements into specific shell access commands, enabling automated security checks to execute in the appropriate environment without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary shell access preparation by gathering device information and constructing the decision tree before executing security checks. This ensures that the correct shell access path is identified in advance, allowing security assessments to run from the proper environment rather than attempting to execute shell commands from the CLI.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for automated shell discovery and access. The method includes gathering, by a control server, fingerprint data for a target device for which root shell access is required, generating, by a decision tree controller, a decision tree from the gathered fingerprint data, traversing, by the decision tree controller, the decision tree to determine a path to the root shell, reporting, by the decision tree controller to the control server, a found access path, connecting, by the control server to the root shell on the target device, using one or more commands associated with the found access path, and executing, by the control server at an accessed root shell of the target device, privileged commands associated with a task.