Runtime Agent Point-wise Protection for Web Application Vulnerabilities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Software security testing often reveals numerous vulnerabilities in web applications, which can be time-consuming to fix, especially when applications are already in production, necessitating a timely and efficient solution to ensure security without requiring full retesting of the application.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a runtime agent that uses instrumentation technology to apply point-wise protections by modifying program code at runtime, based on vulnerability analysis results, allowing for targeted patches that do not require retesting the entire application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If full application retesting is performed to fix vulnerabilities, then security reliability is improved, but time consumption and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vulnerability fixing process by identifying specific vulnerable code locations and applying targeted patches only to those points rather than retesting the entire application. The system divides the monolithic retesting task into discrete vulnerability-point interventions, allowing selective protection of critical sections while skipping safe code paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying differential treatment to different parts of the application code. Vulnerable sections receive enhanced security measures through runtime agents and targeted patches, while non-vulnerable sections continue to execute without intervention. This localized approach maintains security where needed while preserving overall application performance and reducing retesting overhead.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If comprehensive security testing is conducted on production applications, then vulnerability detection capability is improved, but application availability and time to fix deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by proactively instrumenting the application with runtime agents before vulnerabilities are exploited. The system pre-identifies vulnerable code locations through static analysis and prepares targeted patches in advance, so that when vulnerabilities are detected, immediate point-wise protection can be applied without lengthy retesting or deployment cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces runtime agents as intermediaries between the vulnerable application code and the security testing process. These agents monitor execution flow, detect vulnerable operations in real-time, and apply protective measures without requiring the application to be taken offline for comprehensive retesting. The intermediary layer enables continuous vulnerability detection and remediation while maintaining application availability.
3Productivity
If point-wise protection is applied using runtime agents, then time to fix vulnerabilities is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the runtime agents to automatically detect vulnerable operations and apply appropriate patches without requiring manual security analyst intervention for each vulnerability. The system autonomously instruments code, monitors execution, identifies security issues, and deploys targeted protections, reducing the operational complexity of managing point-wise defenses across multiple applications.
Data Source
AI summary
Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to generating a point-wise protection based on dynamic security analysis. Vulnerability solution recommendation are provided based on the dynamic security analysis. A point-wise protection is generated based on a selection of the vulnerability solution recommendation.