Software Release Severity Scoring for Malicious Code Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated software update systems can rapidly spread malicious code if a new software release introduces a critical flaw or virus, as they automatically acquire the latest version without human intervention, leading to potential security breaches before developers can respond.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that analyzes feedback from early adopters using cognitive analysis and natural language processing to calculate a severity score for software releases, delaying or preventing their utilization if the score exceeds a threshold, allowing time for manual vetting and correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated software management systems are configured to automatically acquire the most recent version of a dependency, then productivity is improved by reducing manual intervention, but reliability deteriorates as malicious code can spread rapidly without human oversight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary severity scoring system that acts as a mediator between automated dependency acquisition and software deployment. This system analyzes feedback from early adopters and calculates severity scores to determine whether automatic updates should proceed, thereby preventing malicious code spread while maintaining productivity benefits of automation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where information from early adopters about software release issues is continuously monitored and analyzed. This feedback loop enables the system to detect problems early and adjust update deployment accordingly, resolving the contradiction between rapid automated updates and security reliability
2Loss of time
If automated systems immediately deploy new software releases, then time to market is reduced, but harmful factors increase as critical flaws or viruses can affect systems before detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by requiring early adopters to test software releases before general deployment. The severity scoring system performs preliminary analysis of feedback data to identify potential malicious code or critical flaws, preventing harmful factors from spreading to the broader system while maintaining rapid deployment capabilities
3Reliability
If manual review processes are implemented for software updates, then reliability improves through human oversight, but productivity decreases due to increased manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of review from binary (manual/not manual) to a continuous severity score based on feedback analysis. This allows the system to automatically adjust the level of review required based on the calculated severity, maintaining high productivity for low-severity updates while applying enhanced review only when necessary for reliability
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments for managing the utilization of software releases are provided. Information associated with a software release and at least one early adopter of the software release is analyzed to calculate a severity score for the software release. A time to utilize the software release is determined based on the calculated severity score.