Automated Web Protocol Template Generation for Unknown Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network communication analysis applications face challenges in decoding network sessions conducted using communication protocols with unknown structures, as they require prior knowledge of the protocol's structure to extract relevant information effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that semi-automatically generates a structured template for decoding unknown communication protocols by formulating recognition, extraction, and producer rules, using a GUI to assist analysts in identifying target components and information, and generating an XML template for parsing subsequent network traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If prior knowledge of protocol structure is required to extract information, then extraction accuracy is improved, but the system cannot decode protocols with unknown structures
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis on sample network traffic to automatically discover protocol structure patterns before actual decoding. By pre-processing sample traffic to identify message types, fields, and data formats, the system builds a template that enables subsequent accurate extraction without requiring prior protocol knowledge
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the network traffic itself to generate the decoding template. By analyzing the structure and patterns within the traffic data, the system self-configures the protocol template, eliminating the need for external protocol specifications or manual configuration
2Measurement precision
If manual protocol analysis is performed to understand unknown structures, then decoding accuracy is improved, but analysis time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically analyzes protocol structures by processing sample network traffic through pattern recognition algorithms. The automated template generation extracts protocol characteristics without human intervention, maintaining high decoding accuracy while eliminating manual analysis time
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical analysis with automated computational analysis. By using algorithms to parse and identify protocol patterns in sample traffic, the system achieves rapid template generation that substitutes time-consuming manual examination with efficient automated processing
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate templates are created for each transaction type, then protocol coverage is improved, but template complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a universal protocol template structure that can handle multiple transaction types through configurable message type definitions. By designing the template with generic field structures and type identifiers, a single template framework serves multiple specific transaction formats, reducing the need for separate specialized templates
4Loss of information
If complete protocol structures are decoded, then information completeness is improved, but data structure size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential protocol elements and fields that are relevant to the analysis objectives. By selectively identifying and extracting target information rather than decoding every protocol component, the system maintains information completeness for critical data while minimizing the size of the resulting data structures
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for decoding communication protocols having an unknown structure. In the disclosed embodiments, a decoding system analyzes network traffic that uses such a communication protocol, and semi-automatically generates a structured template for decoding the protocol. In an example embodiment, the traffic comprises HTTP transactions used in some unknown variant of a Web-based e-mail or social network application, and the system generates an Extensible Markup Language (XML) template for parsing such transactions. The system enables an analyst to review sample transactions, and identify target components of the protocol that contain target information of interest. The system typically generates a set of rules with the assistance of the analyst.