Environmentally-Trained Time Dilation for Timing Attack Mitigation
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for mitigating timing attacks, such as clamping explicit clocks or altering hardware frequencies, are ineffective and negatively impact system performance, as they can be worked around and cause resource usage and power efficiency issues.
Innovation Solution
Implementing environmentally-trained time dilation techniques that dynamically trigger and scale time dilation by tracking API calls and callbacks, injecting random wait times, and warping explicit clock values, using proof-of-concept functions to adjust parameters based on the runtime environment to prevent attackers from establishing a consistent reference clock.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing timing attack mitigation approaches (clamping clocks, altering hardware frequencies) are applied, then timing attack resistance is improved, but system performance deteriorates and resource usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the time dilation factor adjustable and responsive to system conditions. Instead of a static mitigation approach, the system dynamically adapts the time dilation parameter based on detected timing attack patterns, allowing it to strengthen protection when attacks are detected while maintaining normal performance when threats are absent.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of time dilation from a fixed value to a variable parameter that can be adjusted based on system state. By modifying this single critical parameter dynamically, the system achieves both strong timing attack resistance and maintained performance, avoiding the need for continuous performance degradation.
2Reliability
If continuous time dilation is applied to prevent timing attacks, then security is improved, but power efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies periodic action by monitoring system conditions and enabling time dilation only when timing attack patterns are detected. Rather than continuous protection, the system periodically activates mitigation measures based on detected threats, reducing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining security when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by automatically detecting timing attack patterns and autonomously adjusting the time dilation parameter without external intervention. This self-regulating mechanism ensures power-efficient operation by activating protection only when threats are present, eliminating the need for continuous manual control or unnecessary energy expenditure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If time dilation parameters are adjusted frequently to adapt to changing runtime environments, then adaptability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring system conditions and using this information to adjust time dilation parameters. The feedback loop detects changes in runtime environment and automatically modifies parameters accordingly, providing environmental adaptability while keeping the control mechanism relatively simple through automated responses.
Solution Approach 2:
The system manages complexity by focusing on adjusting a single critical parameter (time dilation factor) rather than multiple parameters simultaneously. This parameter-centric approach simplifies the adjustment process while maintaining high adaptability to changing runtime conditions, avoiding the complexity of coordinating multiple parameter changes.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Techniques for performing environmentally-trained time dilation are provided. According to certain embodiments, a computer system can determine an initial set of parameter values for implementing one or more time dilation algorithms with respect to a program, where the algorithms cause the program to observe a dilated view of time relative to real time, and where the initial set of parameter values is determined via one or more functions that take into account a current runtime environment of the system. The system can apply the initial set of parameter values to the time dilation algorithms. At a later point in time, the system can detect an event that causes a change in the current runtime environment. Upon detecting the event, the system can determine, via the functions, a new set of parameter values responsive to the change and apply the new set of parameter values to the time dilation algorithms.