SSL Forward Proxy Certificate Cache Poisoning Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing SSL forward proxy technique consumes high computing resources and causes delays in establishing secure sessions due to the need for frequent validation of server certificate chains and generation of interdicted certificates, which can lead to certificate cache poisoning when certificate chains change or become revoked.
Innovation Solution
The use of certificate fingerprints and policy identifiers allows for efficient validation and caching of server certificate chains, reducing resource consumption and preventing cache poisoning by detecting changes in certificate chains and security policies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If SSL forward proxy validates server certificate chains and generates interdicted certificates for each secure session, then secure session establishment is achieved, but computing resource consumption increases and delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-generating interdicted certificates for server certificate chains before actual secure sessions are established. The system validates server certificate chains in advance, generates corresponding interdicted certificates, and caches them for rapid reuse during SSL forward proxy operations, eliminating the need to validate and generate certificates for each individual session.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating interdicted certificates that are copies or derivatives of validated server certificate chains. These interdicted certificates replicate the essential validation properties of the original server certificates while enabling the forward proxy to intercept and decrypt secure sessions without repeatedly performing full validation processes.
2Productivity
If SSL forward proxy caches interdicted certificates to reduce computing resources, then resource consumption decreases, but certificate cache poisoning occurs when certificate chains change or become revoked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms to monitor and detect changes in server certificate chains and security policies. The system continuously checks whether cached interdicted certificates remain valid by comparing them against current server certificate presentations, and automatically invalidates cached certificates when changes are detected, preventing cache poisoning while maintaining resource efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the certificate cache dynamic rather than static. The system adapts the cache state based on real-time conditions, invalidating or updating cached interdicted certificates when server certificate chains change or security policies are updated, ensuring the cache reflects current security requirements while maintaining performance benefits.
Data Source
AI summary
A device may receive a message, associated with establishing a secure session, including a first certificate chain associated with a server device. The device may generate a first certificate fingerprint associated with the first certificate chain and determine a policy identifier associated with a security policy on which the first certificate chain is to be validated. The device may identify a second certificate fingerprint associated with a second certificate chain that has been validated based on the security policy. The device may determine whether the first certificate fingerprint matches the second certificate fingerprint. The device may provide a stored interdicted certificate chain, associated with the second certificate chain, based on determining that the first certificate fingerprint matches the second certificate fingerprint, or provide a generated interdicted certificate chain, associated with the first certificate chain, based on determining that the first certificate fingerprint does not match the second certificate fingerprint.