TCP/IP Header Metadata Embedding for Network Forensics
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional processing systems between sending and receiving entities in TCP/IP transmissions face difficulties in performing tasks like fraud detection and transmission cost calculation due to encrypted transmission bodies, which they cannot read.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to embed metadata into the unencrypted header of TCP/IP transmissions, using an artificial intelligence module to extract, validate, and process metadata, including embedding the originating IP address into unused options in the header, enabling accurate tracking and fraud detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the transmission body is encrypted to ensure security, then security is improved, but processing systems cannot read the transmission body to perform fraud detection and transmission cost calculation
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission is divided into two parts: an encrypted body for security and an unencrypted header containing metadata for processing. This segmentation allows different parts to serve different functions - the body remains secure while the header provides accessible information for fraud detection and cost calculation.
Solution Approach 2:
Metadata is introduced as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between encrypted content and processing requirements. The metadata in the unencrypted header contains essential information (originating IP address, timestamps, routing information) that enables processing systems to perform their functions without needing to decrypt the transmission body.
2Loss of information
If metadata is embedded into the unencrypted header to enable processing, then accessibility of transmission information is improved, but the header size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Essential metadata elements are extracted and placed in the unencrypted header, specifically utilizing unused options within the TCP/IP header structure. This extraction approach allows critical information to be made accessible without significantly increasing overall transmission size, as it uses previously unused space.
3Device complexity
If conventional processing systems are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but they cannot perform accurate fraud detection and transmission tracking due to encrypted bodies
Solution Approach 1:
Metadata is prepared and embedded in the unencrypted header before the transmission reaches processing systems. This preliminary action ensures that all necessary information for fraud detection, tracking, and cost calculation is already available in an accessible format, eliminating the need for complex decryption processes at later stages.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for extracting, correlating, consolidating and presenting metadata from transmissions is provided. The method may include receiving a TCP/IP transmission. The transmission may include a header and a body. The method may include extracting an originating IP address from a location of the transmission. The location may be in the header or in the body. The IP address may be extracted in binary form. The method may include determining an accuracy and validity metric of the transmission using an artificial intelligence module. The method may include converting the extracted IP address from binary form into hexadecimal form. The method may include embedding the hexadecimal form of the IP address into one or more unused options of the header. The method may include processing the transmission. The processing may be completed upon determination that the transmission is a valid transmission.