Secure Software Package Distribution via Digital Signatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centralized software deployment systems lack adequate security measures, making them vulnerable to malicious intrusions and potential exploitation, especially with increased interconnection of internal and external networks.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced in a network computing environment where installation information is signed and packaged with a hash, along with metadata containing a description, applicability rules, and installation instructions, which are sent to target systems for verification and secure installation, using secure protocols like SSL to ensure the integrity and authenticity of the software.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If centralized deployment systems are used to distribute software quickly across networks, then deployment speed and automation are improved, but security vulnerability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary security actions by signing software packages with digital signatures and generating hash values before distribution. The metadata is pre-signed and includes integrity information, allowing recipient systems to verify authenticity and integrity before installation, thus preventing malicious software distribution while maintaining fast automated deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary verification layer using digital signatures and hash values between the centralized deployment system and recipient systems. This intermediary mechanism allows the system to maintain centralized automated deployment while adding security verification steps that prevent malicious intrusions and ensure software integrity
2Reliability
If manual software installation is performed at each machine, then security control is improved, but labor costs and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automated installation where recipient systems automatically download, verify (using embedded hash values and digital signatures), and install software without manual intervention. The automated verification process maintains security control while eliminating the time-consuming manual installation steps, achieving both security and efficiency
3Adaptability or versatility
If internal networks are interconnected with external networks like the Internet, then accessibility and functionality are improved, but vulnerability to malicious intrusion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by signing all distributed software packages with digital signatures and embedding hash values before they reach recipient systems. This pre-established verification mechanism counteracts potential malicious intrusions by enabling automatic detection and rejection of unauthorized or corrupted software, thus protecting the network while maintaining external connectivity
Data Source
AI summary
Sending installation information. A method may be performed, for example, in a network computing environment including one or more servers connected to one or more clients. The method includes signing a package including installation information. A hash of the package is created. A metadata data set is created. The metadata data set includes a description of the package, an identification for the package, applicability rules describing intended recipients of the installation information, the hash of the package, and installation instructions for the package. The metadata data set is sent to a target group of systems in the network computing environment.