TLS Session Man-in-the-Middle Attack Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transport Layer Security (TLS) session man-in-the-middle attacks remain undetected and unmitigated due to the inability to verify the authenticity of data exchanges between network devices, allowing attackers to intercept and alter data.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented where a security digest generated by an endpoint device is compared with a received security digest from a peer device, using a cryptographic hash of a CAPTCHA puzzle answer and session data segment, to detect mismatches indicative of a man-in-the-middle attack, leading to termination of the TLS session.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If TLS session data is exchanged between network devices without verification, then network communication efficiency is improved, but security against man-in-the-middle attacks deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by generating and comparing security digests before completing the TLS session establishment. The endpoint device generates a security digest from session data and receives another security digest from the peer device, comparing them before finalizing the connection. This pre-verification mechanism prevents man-in-the-middle attacks without significantly impacting communication efficiency.
2Reliability
If security verification mechanisms are implemented to detect man-in-the-middle attacks, then security reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming session data into security digests using cryptographic hash functions. The endpoint device generates a security digest by hashing session data and compares it with the received security digest. This parameter transformation approach provides robust security verification while maintaining relatively simple implementation through standard cryptographic operations.
3Measurement precision
If security digests are compared to verify data authenticity, then data integrity is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the taking out principle by extracting only the essential security verification step from the overall TLS protocol. Instead of implementing comprehensive continuous verification mechanisms, the system extracts and compares specific security digest values at a critical point in the session establishment. This focused approach provides sufficient authentication accuracy while minimizing processing time overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
Preventing Transport Layer Security session man-in-the-middle attacks is provided. A first security digest generated by an endpoint device is compared with a second security digest received from a peer device. It is determined whether a match exists between the first security digest and the second security digest based on the comparison. In response to determining that a match does not exist between the first security digest and the second security digest, a man-in-the-middle attack is detected and a network connection for a Transport Layer Security session is terminated with the peer device.