Automated Source Code Vulnerability Mitigation via Path Graph Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for identifying and mitigating software security vulnerabilities in source code are labor-intensive and often result in potential security issues being deployed due to lack of time or resources, despite the use of static code analysis tools that detect vulnerabilities and provide generic remediation criteria.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that automatically mitigate vulnerabilities in source code by building a path graph, identifying tainted paths, determining the type of vulnerability, and applying instant-fix calls based on sanitization methods, with a processor coupled to memory and a database to automate the process of vulnerability detection and remediation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If static code analysis tools are used to detect vulnerabilities, then vulnerability detection capability is improved, but manual implementation and validation remains labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically generates remediation code and validates it without requiring manual intervention. The validation process is self-performed by the system through automated compilation and execution testing, eliminating the need for developers to manually verify each fix.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs vulnerability detection, remediation generation, and validation in advance before deployment. By completing the entire remediation workflow preliminarily, the system eliminates time-consuming manual steps that would otherwise be required during the deployment phase.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive static code analysis is performed, then vulnerability detection accuracy is improved, but resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The codebase is divided into multiple paths that are analyzed separately. The system segments the analysis workload by identifying and processing individual execution paths independently, which reduces the computational complexity and resource consumption compared to analyzing the entire codebase as a single unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs analysis on a selective basis, focusing computational resources on identifying and remediating specific vulnerability types rather than exhaustively analyzing every possible code path. This partial action approach maintains adequate detection accuracy while reducing overall resource consumption.
3Productivity
If automated remediation is implemented, then productivity is improved, but complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an automated remediation engine as an intermediary between vulnerability detection and deployment. This intermediary component handles the complex tasks of generating and validating fixes, thereby automating productivity-enhancing functions while managing system complexity through a dedicated intermediate layer.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for automatically mitigating vulnerabilities in a source code of an application is provided in the present invention. The method includes the following steps. First, the source code is complied, and a path graph is built according to the compiled source code. The path graph includes a plurality of paths traversing from sources to sinks, and each of the paths includes a plurality of nodes. Then, at least one tainted path is identified by enabling a plurality of vulnerability rules. Each of the at least one tainted path corresponds to a vulnerability, and each of the at least one vulnerability corresponds to a sanitization method. Then, the at least one vulnerability is determined if it is mitigable. If the at least one vulnerability is mitigable, the at least one vulnerability is mitigated automatically. Furthermore, the method may be implemented as a system and a computer program product.