Team Identifier Validation for Dynamic Library Loading
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current security measures for processor-based devices are inadequate in preventing malicious code from dynamically loading unauthorized libraries, even if authorized by a trusted source, which can lead to system security breaches.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where each software component is associated with a unique team identifier, allowing only matching team identifiers between applications and libraries to enable loading and communication, thereby ensuring that only authorized libraries are accessed by authorized applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If applications are executed with authorization from a trusted source, then application security is improved, but applications can still dynamically load unauthorized libraries that compromise system security
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation by embedding team identifiers in both applications and libraries during compilation. Before dynamic loading occurs, the operating system validates whether the application's team identifier matches the library's team identifier, preventing unauthorized libraries from being loaded even if the application itself is authorized.
Solution Approach 2:
Team identifiers serve as an intermediary validation mechanism between the trusted source authorization and the dynamic library loading process. The team identifier comparison acts as a mediator that ensures only libraries from the same development team can be loaded, bridging the gap between application authorization and library security.
2Reliability
If team identifier validation is implemented for dynamic library loading, then system security is enhanced, but additional validation steps increase system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The team identifier validation logic is extracted as a separate, dedicated function within the operating system. The validation process isolates the team identifier comparison from the main application execution flow, implementing security checks in a modular manner that manages complexity while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The team identifiers are embedded self-service markers within the binary code of applications and libraries during compilation. These identifiers automatically serve as validation credentials without requiring external verification infrastructure, simplifying the validation mechanism while ensuring security.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, in response to a request received from an application by a launch module hosted by an operating system and executed by a processor to dynamically load a library, a library validation module hosted by the operating system extracts a first team identifier (ID) from the application, where the first team ID identifies an application provider that provides the application. The library validation module extracts a second team ID from the library, where the second team ID identifies a library provider that provides the library. The first team ID and the second team ID are compared to determine whether the first team ID matches the second team ID. In response to determining that the first team ID matches the second team ID, the launch module launches the library to allow the application communicate with the library; otherwise, the request is denied.