Secure Kernel Hypervisor for Multi-Tenant Cloud Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional operating systems (OSes) hosting virtual machines (VMs) face significant security vulnerabilities due to their large codebases, numerous APIs, and input/output ports, providing multiple attack surfaces for cyber threats, which complicates secure multi-tenant cloud environments.
Innovation Solution
A security system utilizing a secure kernel hypervisor (SKH) with a separation kernel and cloud orchestration system (COS) configures a single multi-tenant cloud to set up separate virtual work packages (VWPs), dynamically allocates resources, and manages security objects, including encryption of intra-domain network traffic with unique security objects, to isolate and protect multiple single-level security domains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional operating systems are used to host virtual machines, then computing resources can be virtualized and shared, but security vulnerabilities increase due to large codebases, numerous APIs, and multiple attack surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the virtualization function into a lightweight separation kernel that provides only essential virtualization capabilities without the full operating system stack. This kernel creates isolated virtual work packages (VWPs) that can host virtual machines, eliminating the need for traditional OSes with their large codebases and numerous attack surfaces while maintaining virtualization functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential virtualization functionality from the traditional operating system, creating a minimal separation kernel that contains only the code necessary for virtual machine management. This extraction removes unnecessary components (APIs, drivers, services) that create security vulnerabilities while preserving the core virtualization capability
2Reliability
If a single hardware platform hosts only a single operating system, then security is simplified, but resource utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The separation kernel provides universal virtualization capabilities that allow a single hardware platform to host multiple virtual work packages with different security requirements. The kernel manages multiple security domains simultaneously, enabling one system to serve multiple functions and support diverse workloads while maintaining security through isolation
3Reliability
If traditional OS security measures are implemented, then some security protection is provided, but significant vulnerabilities still exist due to millions of lines of code and thousands of APIs
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses disposable virtual work packages that can be rapidly created, configured, and destroyed. Each VWP is a temporary, isolated environment that contains security-sensitive operations. After use, the VWP and its security context are destroyed, eliminating the need for long-term security management of complex systems and reducing the attack surface
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods are described herein for multiple single level security (MSLS) domains including, but not limited to, a secure kernel hypervisor (SKH). The SKH configures a single multi-tenant cloud to host the MSLS domains. A cloud orchestration system (COS) configures the single multi-tenant cloud to set up a plurality of separate virtual work packages (VWPs) for the MSLS domains. A key management system (KMS) is configured to manage security objects associated with the MSLS domains.