Segmented Authentication Data Transmission via Multi-Port Firewall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network communication systems are vulnerable to replay attacks and require significant administrative effort to maintain firewall configurations, as they typically allow default ports for services like HTTP, making them susceptible to unauthorized access and data integrity issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where authentication data, such as a password, is split into multiple parts and sent through a plurality of logical ports, with the firewall receiving and logging these parts, allowing the server to assemble and authenticate the data, thereby enhancing protection against replay attacks and reducing administrative burdens by blocking all incoming traffic regardless of port number.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If default ports are left unblocked for services like HTTP, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened due to vulnerability to replay attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication data is segmented into multiple parts and transmitted through multiple logical ports. This segmentation prevents replay attacks because an attacker would need to intercept and replay all parts through all ports simultaneously, which is computationally infeasible. The system divides the authentication process into discrete segments that must be reassembled in the correct sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds the dimension of multiple logical ports to the authentication process. Instead of transmitting authentication data through a single port, the invention distributes parts of the authentication data across multiple ports, creating a multi-dimensional authentication space that significantly increases security against replay attacks while maintaining ease of operation.
2Reliability
If firewall rule sets are constantly updated to protect against attacks, then security is improved, but administrative effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service authentication where the authentication protocol itself provides the security mechanism. The multi-part authentication process automatically prevents replay attacks without requiring external firewall rule updates or administrative intervention. The security is built into the authentication mechanism rather than being imposed by external firewall configurations.
3Ease of operation
If authentication data is sent as a single message, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened due to replay attack vulnerability
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication data message is divided into multiple parts that are transmitted separately through different logical ports. This segmentation ensures that even if one part is intercepted, the attacker cannot reconstruct the complete authentication data without capturing all parts through all ports, thereby preventing replay attacks while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically routes different parts of the authentication data through different logical ports based on the authentication protocol. This dynamic distribution of authentication data parts creates a flexible security mechanism that adapts to the authentication process while maintaining ease of operation for legitimate users.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method in which authentication data, such as a password, which is sent to a server/firewall as part of an authentication request, for example a logon request, is received at the server/firewall in a plurality of messages at a plurality of logical ports from the user, thus improving protection against replay attacks. In one embodiment, a plurality of user authentication data parts is obtained from a remote user device as part of an authentication request, the plurality of user authentication data parts is assembled into user authentication data; the authenticity of the authentication request is checked using the user authentication data; and communication with the remote user device is enabled if the authentication request data is determined to be authentic.