Runtime Application Instrumentation for Privileged Transaction Blocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing application performance management (APM) solutions lack effective mechanisms to prevent abuse by privileged users, as they rely on binary security mechanisms that do not account for potential misuse of privileges.

Innovation Solution

Implement instrumentation code in online applications to capture transaction data, send approval requests to authorizers, and block transactions based on received responses, thereby preventing abuse by privileged users.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If binary security mechanisms are used to determine user privileges, then security check simplicity is improved, but vulnerability to privileged user abuse increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity check simplicityVSAvoidprotection against privileged user abuse

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static binary security checks to dynamic transaction monitoring. The instrumentation code continuously observes user actions and dynamically determines whether to block transactions based on real-time analysis of user behavior patterns, device characteristics, and transaction context, rather than relying solely on fixed privilege levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary layer between the user and the application logic through instrumentation code. This intermediary monitors and analyzes transactions, acting as a mediator that can intercept and block suspicious actions while allowing legitimate transactions to proceed, thus protecting against abuse without requiring complete system redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If instrumentation code is inserted into online application, then transaction monitoring capability is improved, but application performance overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction data capture accuracyVSAvoidapplication transaction processing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial monitoring by selectively instrumenting only critical transaction paths and user interactions rather than monitoring every application operation. The instrumentation code focuses on capturing essential transaction data (user actions, device information, transaction context) while leaving non-critical paths uninstrumented, thus reducing overhead while maintaining monitoring effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces heavy mechanical monitoring approaches with lighter-weight instrumentation techniques. Instead of comprehensive logging and analysis of all application operations, the instrumentation code uses efficient data capture methods that minimize processing overhead, capturing only the essential information needed for abuse detection while maintaining application performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If comprehensive transaction monitoring is implemented, then detection of abusive behavior is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabuse detection capabilityVSAvoidmonitoring system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The instrumentation code is designed to be universal and multi-functional, serving multiple purposes simultaneously: capturing transaction data, analyzing user behavior patterns, detecting suspicious activities, and blocking abusive transactions. This consolidation of multiple functions into a single integrated system reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate specialized components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The monitoring system employs self-service mechanisms by automatically learning and adapting to user behavior patterns without requiring manual configuration or intervention. The system autonomously analyzes transaction data, identifies abnormal patterns, and adjusts its detection criteria over time, reducing the complexity of manual system management and configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12536255B2Instrumenting applications to prevent abuse by privileged users

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

In one embodiment, a device obtains data regarding a transaction attempted by a user within an online application that is captured by instrumentation code that is inserted into the online application at runtime, wherein the user has sufficient privileges within the online application to perform the transaction; The device sends, based on the data regarding the transaction, one or more approval requests to one or more authorizers. The device receives one or more responses to the one or more approval requests. The device blocks, and based on the one or more responses, the transaction attempted by the user within the online application via the instrumentation code.