Storage Device Latency Uniformity Attack Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The limited PCIe interface capacity leads to congestion, causing information leakage due to transmission delays, especially when peripheral devices saturate the link capacity, compromising data security and integrity.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a storage device that detects attacks by analyzing latency uniformity among read commands, adjusts latency based on service policies, and communicates attack detection or latency adjustments using In-Band and Out-Of-Band communication to identify and respond to malicious activities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If PCIe link capacity is saturated to increase peripheral device connectivity, then more devices can be connected, but transmission delay occurs causing information leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of connected peripheral devicesVSAvoidtransmission delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

An I/O switch is introduced as an intermediary device between the host and multiple peripheral devices, allowing devices to share the limited PCIe interface capacity. The switch manages traffic flow and arbitration, enabling multiple devices to connect while mitigating transmission delays through intelligent routing and queue management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The PCIe interface capacity is segmented and distributed among multiple peripheral devices through the I/O switch. Each device receives allocated bandwidth and time slots, preventing saturation-induced delays by dividing the shared resource into manageable portions for different devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If PCIe traffic from peripheral devices saturates link capacity, then device connectivity is maximized, but data security is compromised due to information leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePCIe traffic volumeVSAvoiddata security
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the I/O switch and host monitor PCIe traffic patterns, latency variations, and transmission characteristics. When abnormal patterns indicating potential information leakage are detected, the system can adjust traffic management policies, throttle suspicious devices, or alert security systems to maintain data security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The I/O switch acts as a security intermediary that inspects and controls traffic between peripheral devices and the host. It can filter malicious traffic, enforce access control policies, and prevent information leakage by monitoring transmission patterns and blocking suspicious communications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4336395B1Attack detection method, attack response method, and storage device
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4336395B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4336395B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4336395B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method includes: receiving, by for example a storage device (440), a plurality of read commands generated by a tenant from a host (410); calculating, based on the plurality of read commands satisfying a predetermined condition, each latency of the plurality of read commands and obtaining the calculated plurality of latencies; calculating a uniformity of the plurality of latencies; and determining, based on the uniformity that is within a predetermined ratio range, that there is an attack from the tenant.