Serverless Network Security via Dynamic Code Interception
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Solution Overview
Problem
In serverless computing environments, implementing effective microsegmentation to secure workloads is challenging due to the lack of control over the platform, as traditional security solutions rely on privileged programs and operating system interactions, which are not feasible with cloud providers managing hosts.
Innovation Solution
The use of machine learning to automate segment building and policy creation for network communication, combined with software identity-based technology and dynamic runtime code manipulation, enables microsegmentation without underlying network changes, allowing for granular access control and protection in serverless computing systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional security solutions using privileged programs and operating system interactions are implemented, then security control is achieved, but they are not feasible with cloud providers managing hosts in serverless environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary security layer that operates between the serverless function code and the network stack. This intermediary captures network calls, rewrites them with security policies, and forwards them without requiring privileged OS access. The intermediary acts as a mediator that enables security control in environments where traditional privileged programs cannot operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of privileged program access and OS interactions with a software-based security enforcement mechanism. Instead of relying on kernel-level privileges or OS security modules, the solution uses application-level code interception and rewriting to enforce security policies, making it compatible with serverless environments where such privileged access is unavailable.
2Reliability
If manual network segmentation with fine-grained rules is implemented, then security coverage is improved, but complexity and time involved outweigh security benefits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service security policy generation by automatically analyzing application code, dependencies, and network requirements to create appropriate security policies. The system serves itself by generating, validating, and enforcing policies without manual intervention, eliminating the need for security experts to manually craft complex segmentation rules while maintaining comprehensive security coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary security policy generation and validation before deployment to serverless environments. By analyzing application requirements upfront and pre-configuring security policies, the system avoids the need for complex post-deployment adjustments and manual rule crafting, significantly reducing overall complexity while maintaining security coverage.
3Extent of automation
If automated microsegmentation with agents on hosts is implemented, then security automation is achieved, but users must control the platform for installing and managing agents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a lightweight intermediary security layer that operates without requiring full agent installation or platform control. This intermediary captures necessary network information and enforces policies through code instrumentation rather than traditional agent-based approaches, enabling automation in managed serverless environments where users cannot install or control platform agents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential security enforcement functionality from traditional agent-based systems and implements it through pure software mechanisms in the serverless function code. By removing the dependency on host-based agents and their associated installation and management requirements, the solution achieves automation while remaining compatible with fully managed platforms where users have no control over the underlying infrastructure.
4Ease of manufacture
If security policies are enforced without underlying network changes, then deployment simplicity is improved, but achieving granular access control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces network-layer security mechanisms with application-layer security enforcement. By implementing security policies through software code instrumentation and network call rewriting rather than network configuration changes, the system achieves granular access control precision while maintaining deployment simplicity. The security logic is embedded in the application code itself, allowing fine-grained control without touching the network infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods include implementing dynamic runtime code manipulation to modify application code associated with calls related to networking, with the calls implemented by application software executed as a serverless workload; intercepting the calls from the application software based on the modified application code; determining whether to permit the calls based on a set of policies; responsive to permitting a call, making the call to an operating system interface on behalf of the application software; and, responsive to not permitting the call, providing a failure notification to the application software.