Software Package Risk Scoring Before Vulnerable Component Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing software installation processes fail to detect and mitigate software vulnerabilities and inefficiencies associated with installing a software package, particularly when existing technologies fail to identify and address vulnerabilities in software components, which can lead to security and performance issues.

Innovation Solution

A system automatically generates severity scores for each software component, determines an overall risk score, and suggests lower-risk alternatives before installation, using databases to analyze vulnerabilities and compatibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If software packages with multiple components are installed, then functionality and versatility are improved, but the number of vulnerabilities and security risks increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware functionalityVSAvoidsoftware vulnerabilities

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary vulnerability assessment before installation by analyzing software packages against vulnerability databases and generating risk scores. This advance detection and evaluation allows users to understand security implications prior to installation, resolving the contradiction between installing comprehensive software and avoiding vulnerabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If detailed vulnerability analysis is performed for each software component, then security and reliability are improved, but installation time and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware securityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The vulnerability assessment is segmented into component-level analysis and package-level summary. Individual software components are analyzed for vulnerabilities, but the results are aggregated into an overall risk score for the entire package, providing both detailed security information and quick decision-making capability without excessive time consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transforms detailed vulnerability data into simplified risk scores and severity levels. By converting complex vulnerability information into standardized risk parameters, the system maintains thorough security analysis while reducing the time and complexity required for installation decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If users manually review each software component for vulnerabilities, then detection precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevulnerability detection accuracyVSAvoidinstallation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service vulnerability assessment by automatically analyzing software packages against vulnerability databases and generating risk scores without requiring user intervention. This automated approach maintains high detection precision while significantly improving ease of operation, as users simply initiate installation and receive risk information without manual component review.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of reviewing each software component is replaced with an automated computer-based vulnerability analysis system. The system uses databases and algorithms to detect vulnerabilities automatically, substituting human manual inspection with automated digital analysis that maintains precision while enhancing operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250384142A1Automatically detecting and mitigating risks associated with installing a software package on a computer system

Publication Date: 2025.12.18 RED HAT INC

AI summary

Risks associated with installing a software package on a computer system can be automatically detected and mitigated using techniques described herein. In one example, a system can generate severity scores for software components. Each severity score may correspond to a software component and indicate a severity of its vulnerabilities. The system may generate a risk score based on the severity scores. The risk score may represent an overall level of risk associated with installing the software package on the computing device. The system may also determine that an alternative software component is correlated with a software component of the software package, determine respective severity scores for the software component and the alternative software component, and compare their respective severity scores. The system can determine that the severity score of the alternative software component is lower and output a notification indicating the risk score and the alternative software component.