Server-Side URL Redirection Detection via Reputation System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current risk rating technologies fail to proactively detect and alert users about server-side URL redirection to malicious websites, which can lead to unauthorized access and data breaches, as they do not effectively identify redirections that occur through legitimate-looking URLs.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for risk rating and detecting redirection activities in a network environment, which involves sending requests to network addresses, determining if they have been redirected, searching for associated risk ratings, and providing alerts or blocking access if the ratings indicate malicious URLs, using a reputation system that includes URL and redirection reputation servers and a malware analysis system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current risk rating technologies are used, then basic URL safety checking is provided, but server-side URL redirection to malicious websites cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by sending test requests to URLs before users access them, proactively detecting potential redirections to malicious sites. The reputation system pre-evaluates URLs and caches redirection information, so when a user attempts to access a URL, the detection is already complete or quickly resolved, preventing exposure to malicious content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary reputation system that sits between the user's browser and the target website. This intermediary component intercepts URL requests, checks them against the reputation database, and determines whether redirection to malicious sites has occurred, thereby protecting users without requiring changes to their browsers or websites.
2Adaptability or versatility
If URL redirection is used for legitimate purposes, then web pages are made accessible under multiple URLs, but malicious websites can exploit this to redirect users deceptively
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful aspect of URL redirection (masking malicious intent) into a beneficial detection opportunity. By monitoring redirection chains and evaluating the reputation of destination URLs, the system identifies when legitimate redirection techniques are misused for malicious purposes, allowing users to benefit from URL flexibility while being protected from exploitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The reputation system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring URL behavior, detecting redirection patterns, and updating reputation scores based on observed activities. When a URL exhibits suspicious redirection behavior or leads to malicious content, the system feeds this information back into the reputation database, improving future detection accuracy and providing real-time warnings to users.
Data Source
AI summary
A method in one example implementation includes sending a first request to a first network address on a first server and determining whether the first network address has been redirected on the server to a second network address. The method further includes searching a memory element for a predetermined risk rating associated with the second network address if the first network address has been redirected to the second network address. The method also includes providing a risk response to a client if a predetermined risk rating is found. In more specific embodiments, the risk response includes sending an alert to the client or blocking the client from accessing the second network address if the predetermined risk rating indicates the second network address is malicious. In other more specific embodiments, the first network address is redirected to one or more other network addresses before being redirected to the second network address.