Variable Write Profile for Intrusion Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing computer security systems struggle to effectively detect and prevent intrusions by monitoring memory access patterns and identifying deviations from normal behavior, especially in programs with varying memory access patterns.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that identifies a set of program variables, generates a profile of variable writes by tracking memory write operations and timestamps, and detects deviations in memory access patterns to generate a notification indicating an attack status.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If memory access patterns are monitored to detect intrusions, then detection accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the monitoring system into distinct components: a profiler that creates write profiles during normal execution, a monitor that tracks actual memory accesses, and a comparator that detects deviations. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function independently, improving detection accuracy while managing system complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by creating write profiles during a profiling phase before actual intrusion detection begins. These profiles establish the baseline normal behavior of the program, allowing the monitor to efficiently detect deviations without requiring complex real-time analysis of all memory access patterns from scratch.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If detailed tracking of memory write operations is performed, then intrusion detection capability is improved, but processing overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintrusion detection capabilityVSAvoidprocessing overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by focusing monitoring resources on specific variables identified in the write profile rather than uniformly monitoring all memory operations. The system tracks write counts and timestamps only for variables that are part of the established profile, reducing processing overhead while maintaining reliable intrusion detection for critical data structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters by transitioning from continuous detailed monitoring to periodic comparison against the write profile. The monitor tracks write operations using counters and timestamps, comparing these parameters against the pre-established profile to detect deviations, thereby reducing processing overhead while maintaining detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If a write profile is generated and compared against actual accesses, then false positives are reduced, but memory usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefalse positive reductionVSAvoidmemory usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses copying by creating a write profile that replicates the normal write behavior pattern of the program. This profile serves as a reference copy that can be compared against actual memory accesses without requiring the original source code or detailed execution traces, reducing memory usage while maintaining precision in detecting false positives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3940566B1Using a variable write profile for detecting intrusion of a computer program
Publication Date: 2025.05.28 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP3940566B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3940566B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3940566B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A computer-implemented method is disclosed. The method includes: identifying a set of program variables associated with a computer program; generating a profile of variable writes for the computer program based on tracking, for each variable in the set of program variables: a count of memory write operations for writing to the variable; and timestamps associated with the memory write operations; detecting a trigger condition associated with the set of program variables, the detecting including: monitoring a pattern of memory accesses by the computer program, the pattern of memory accesses indicating accesses of memory allocated to variables in the set of program variables; and detecting a deviation of the pattern of memory accesses from the profile of variable writes; and in response to detecting the trigger condition, generating a notification indicating an attack status on the computer program.