Signed HTTP Headers for Trustworthy Client IP Conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Web servers often lack direct access to the client IP address due to proxy servers, leading to unreliable and tamperable IP address conveyance, which can result in false information and security vulnerabilities.
Innovation Solution
A custom HTTP header is appended to HTTP requests, containing the client IP address, UUID, timestamp, lifetime, and signature, which is verified by the web server using a shared secret to ensure authenticity and integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a proxy server is used to connect web servers to clients, then the web server can be protected and traffic can be managed, but the web server loses direct access to the client IP address and cannot reliably identify the originating client
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a custom HTTP header as an intermediary mechanism to convey the client IP address through the proxy server to the web server. The header acts as a carrier that preserves the original client IP information across the proxy boundary, allowing the web server to access the true client identity without direct connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The client IP address is captured and embedded in the custom HTTP header before the request reaches the proxy server. This preliminary action ensures the information is preserved in the request stream, allowing downstream components (web server) to access it without requiring changes to the proxy server's core functionality.
2Reliability
If the client IP address is conveyed through standard HTTP headers, then the information can be transmitted, but the data can be tampered with and is not trustworthy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies digital signatures and validation logic as preliminary anti-actions against potential tampering. Before the IP address information is trusted, it undergoes cryptographic verification to ensure it hasn't been modified, preemptively neutralizing the threat of tampering.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the web server validates the custom HTTP header against expected formats and authentication criteria. This validation feedback loop ensures that only authentic, un tampered IP address information is accepted, rejecting forged or modified data.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If additional validation mechanisms are added to verify the HTTP header, then security is improved, but the processing time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements selective validation where the system performs essential verification steps (format checking, signature validation) without over-processing. It applies just enough validation to ensure security while avoiding unnecessary computational overhead that would excessively delay request processing.
Data Source
AI summary
Described are techniques including a computer-implemented method comprising appending a HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) header to a HTTP request, wherein the HTTP header includes a source Internet Protocol (IP) address of a client generating the HTTP request, a universally unique identifier (UUID) of the HTTP request, a timestamp, a lifetime, a Universal Resource Locator (URL) of the HTTP request, and a signature. The method further comprises transmitting the HTTP request with the HTTP header to a web server.