Network Traffic Manager Identifying Clients via TLS Parameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Encrypted network traffic poses challenges for security assessments and network traffic management, as the encrypted data makes it opaque to identify potential risks and manage traffic effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize TLS parameters to identify clients and execute actions within a network traffic management system, allowing for effective management of encrypted traffic by determining client identities and executing necessary actions based on those identities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If encrypted network traffic is managed using traditional methods, then network security is maintained through encryption, but the ability to identify clients and execute security actions is lost due to opacity of encrypted data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts TLS parameters from the encrypted handshake process before encryption fully obscures client identity. By capturing parameters like TLS version, cipher suite, and handshake timing during the initial unencrypted or partially encrypted phase, the system obtains client identification information without breaking the encryption of the main data stream.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs client identification actions before the encrypted traffic flow fully establishes. By analyzing TLS parameters during the handshake phase and making security decisions in advance, the system can route traffic appropriately before encryption makes further analysis impossible.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If encrypted traffic is inspected to identify clients, then client identification becomes possible, but the encryption is broken and security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary identification parameters from the TLS handshake process without decrypting the actual traffic. By taking out specific parameters (TLS version, cipher suite, handshake timing) that are sufficient for client identification, the system avoids breaking encryption while still achieving the goal of client recognition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses TLS parameters as an intermediary to identify clients without directly inspecting encrypted content. These parameters serve as a mediator that provides client identification information while maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of the encrypted data stream.
3Reliability
If TLS parameters are analyzed to identify clients, then security actions can be executed, but additional processing time is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs TLS parameter analysis during the handshake phase, which occurs before the main data transfer begins. By completing client identification and security decision-making in advance, the system avoids adding processing delays to the actual traffic flow, as the encryption/decryption process must occur anyway during the handshake.
Solution Approach 2:
The system quickly processes TLS parameters during the already-time-consuming handshake phase, extracting identification information rapidly without adding significant overhead. By rushing through the parameter analysis during the mandatory handshake period, the system achieves security actions without extending total connection establishment time.
4Reliability
If all encrypted traffic is scrutinized for security risks, then security coverage is improved, but network performance decreases due to increased processing overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by analyzing only the essential TLS parameters needed for client identification rather than scrutinizing the entire encrypted traffic stream. By performing partial analysis on handshake parameters only, the system achieves sufficient security coverage without the excessive processing overhead of deep packet inspection of encrypted content.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts only the critical identification parameters from the TLS handshake (such as TLS version, cipher suite, and timing information) and uses these for security decisions. By taking out only what is necessary for security assessment rather than analyzing all traffic details, the system maintains security coverage while minimizing processing overhead and preserving network performance.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, non-transitory computer readable media, network traffic manager apparatuses, and systems that assist with generating insights with TLS parameters includes receiving a request from a client for establishing a TLS connection to a server. In some examples, the request comprises parameters for the TLS connection. Next, the network traffic manager apparatus determines an identity of the client based on the TLS parameters in the request unique to the client and executes an action based on the TLS parameters which alters a handling of the request.