Tracing Wrapper for Secure Container Resource Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Containerization technologies face challenges in securely allowing application processes to access host system resources without escalating privileges, leading to potential attacks and permission failures when running applications within containers.
Innovation Solution
A tracing wrapper is used to track resource operations of application processes, identifying necessary system resources and provisioning access through a container account, ensuring secure execution while protecting the host system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If application processes run with elevated privileges to access host system resources, then resource accessibility is improved, but system security deteriorates due to potential attacks and escape risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary tracing of application processes to identify required system resources before containerization. A tracing wrapper executes the application in its original environment to capture all system resource accesses, storing this information for later use when provisioning the containerized application, ensuring both security and accessibility without privilege escalation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a tracing wrapper as an intermediary component between the application and the host system resources. This wrapper monitors and tracks resource operations, enabling the system to understand what resources the application needs without granting the application direct privileged access, thus maintaining security while ensuring functionality
2Object-affected harmful factors
If application processes run without privileges in containers, then system security is improved, but resource accessibility deteriorates leading to permission failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary execution and tracing of the application in its native environment to identify all system resources that will be accessed. This advance knowledge allows the containerized application to be configured with precise resource permissions without needing elevated privileges, preventing permission failures while maintaining security
Solution Approach 2:
The tracing wrapper provides feedback about resource access patterns by monitoring and recording all system resource operations. This feedback information is used to configure the containerized application's resource permissions accurately, ensuring that the application can access exactly what it needs without excessive privileges
3Manufacturing precision
If tracing wrappers are used to track resource operations, then resource permission accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional tracking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The tracing wrapper is designed to automatically execute and capture resource operations without requiring manual configuration or intervention. The system self-provisions container permissions based on the traced information, reducing operational complexity while maintaining high precision in resource permission assignment
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the disclosure enable resource access for secure application containers. In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided that comprises identifying a tracing wrapper for an application to be executed by a process. The tracing wrapper to track an event associated with an interaction of the application with one or more system resources. An instance of the application is executed by the process using an application account having access to the system resources. A first system resource of the system resources is determined to be used by the application in view of the tracing wrapper. The application is then copied to a secure container to be executed by the process using a container account of the secure container. The secure container is isolated from access to the one or more system resources. Thereupon, the container account is provided access to the first system resource.