Secure Web Gateway Cookie Management for Zero Trust Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing secure web gateways (SWG) solutions do not easily integrate into organizational workflows, require preconfigured network resources, and allow unauthorized access through unexpired authentication cookies, posing security vulnerabilities in zero trust network environments.
Innovation Solution
Implement a system that intercepts and manages authentication cookies within a zero trust network environment, using a virtual network interface (VNI) to ensure all communication passes through the zero trust network, replacing or encrypting cookies to maintain secure access control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If web applications store authentication cookies on user devices to bypass constant authentication needs, then user convenience is improved, but security is worsened because cookies may continue to provide access even after access revocation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a secure web gateway as an intermediary component between the user device and web applications. This gateway intercepts and manages authentication cookies, replacing them with altered cookies that maintain security control. The gateway acts as a mediator that allows convenient authentication while preventing unauthorized access through cookie management policies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the authentication cookie management function from the web application itself and relocates it to a dedicated secure web gateway component. By separating cookie management from application logic, the system maintains user convenience while centralizing security control in a specialized component that can enforce access policies.
2Reliability
If standalone SWG solutions are deployed to filter and inspect content, then security control is improved, but integration into organizational workflows is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the SWG solution with multi-functional capabilities including content filtering, deep packet inspection, cookie management, and integration with organizational authentication systems. This universal approach allows a single component to perform multiple security functions and integrate seamlessly into various organizational workflows and existing infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple security functions (content filtering, packet inspection, cookie management, authentication) into a unified secure web gateway system. By merging these functions, the solution improves integration capability while maintaining comprehensive security control through a single coordinated system rather than separate standalone components.
3Reliability
If SWG solutions generate dedicated network spaces with preconfigured resources, then security isolation is improved, but network configuration complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated network space generation and resource configuration within the secure web gateway. The system automatically creates isolated network spaces, configures necessary resources, and manages cookie policies without requiring manual preconfiguration by administrators. This self-service capability maintains security isolation while reducing configuration complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for facilitating communication between a user device and a web application through a zero trust network providing a secure web gateway using authentication cookies. The method includes receiving network traffic from a user device including an altered authentication cookie, the network traffic directed at a web application; retrieving an original authentication cookie based on the altered authentication cookie; generating a new network traffic based on: the received network traffic, and the original authentication cookie; and sending the new network traffic from the zero trust network environment to the web application.