Software Vulnerability Detection via Validation Machine Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Verifying software for malicious code, vulnerabilities, or backdoors is a difficult task, as existing methods cannot automatically detect all issues, requiring human inspection for suspicious sections.

Innovation Solution

Instrumenting a validation machine with tools and monitors to capture static and dynamic software behavior, logging data to detect malicious code, and using machine learning to neutralize or flag potentially malicious activities, with human inspection for unautomatable actions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automated analysis methods are used to detect malicious code, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomated detection capabilityVSAvoiddetection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the detection process into multiple specialized components: static analysis tools examine code structure and patterns, dynamic analysis monitors runtime behavior, data mining identifies suspicious patterns, and machine learning classifiers evaluate overall risk. This segmentation allows each component to focus on specific aspects, improving both automation and precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback loops where detection results are continuously refined. Human inspection of flagged suspicious sections provides feedback that trains the machine learning models, improving their precision over time. The system also uses feedback from confirmed malicious code to update detection rules and patterns, enhancing automated detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If comprehensive monitoring tools are deployed to capture all software behavior, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebehavior analysis accuracyVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The validation machine is designed as a multi-functional system that performs diverse analysis tasks through integrated tools. A single platform executes static analysis, dynamic monitoring, data mining, and machine learning evaluation, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive detection capabilities through shared infrastructure and coordinated toolsets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If human inspection is used for suspicious code sections, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidanalysis throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial automation by using machine learning and pattern recognition to handle the majority of code analysis automatically. Human inspection is reserved only for suspicious sections that require expert judgment, rather than requiring human review of all code. This partial action approach maintains high precision for critical cases while preserving productivity through automated handling of routine analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Reliability

If multiple analysis tools are integrated into the validation machine, then reliability is improved, but device complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidtool integration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple analysis tools into a unified validation machine platform. Different analysis components (static analyzers, dynamic monitors, data mining engines, and machine learning classifiers) are integrated and coordinated to work together synergistically. This merging improves reliability through cross-validation and comprehensive analysis while managing complexity through unified architecture and centralized control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8806619B2System and methods for detecting software vulnerabilities and malicious code
Publication Date: 2014.08.12 CYBERNET SYSTEMS CORP

AI summary

A system and method determines whether software includes malicious code. A validation machine is instrumented with tools and monitors that capture the static and dynamic behavior of software. Software under examination is executed on the validation machine, and the tools and monitors are used to log data representative of the behavior of the software to detect vulnerable or malicious code. If possible, one or more operations are automatically performed on the software to enhance the security of the software by neutralizing the vulnerable or malicious code. Activities that cannot be neutralized automatically are flagged for human inspection. The software executed on the validation machine may be source code or non-source code, with different operations being disclosed and described in each case.