Worm Signature Generation for Network Mitigation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network management systems face challenges in efficiently detecting and mitigating worm propagation, leading to increased costs and network disruptions due to the time lag between worm identification and mitigation.
Innovation Solution
A computer program product and system that automatically generates and distributes distinct worm signatures to various security devices, such as firewalls and routers, allowing them to identify and mitigate potential worm packets without human intervention, thereby reducing the time between worm identification and mitigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual worm signature generation and distribution is used, then signature accuracy can be ensured, but the time lag between worm identification and mitigation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically generating worm signatures and distributing them to security devices in advance, before manual intervention would occur. The signature generation system proactively creates signatures based on worm characteristics and immediately distributes them to relevant security devices, eliminating the time lag while maintaining accuracy through automated validation processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing security devices to automatically receive and apply worm signatures without human intervention. The automated distribution system delivers signatures directly to devices such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems, which then autonomously use these signatures to identify and block worm traffic, significantly reducing response time while maintaining signature quality through built-in validation mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If generic worm signatures are used across all devices, then signature generation is simplified, but device-specific mitigation effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by customizing worm signatures for each specific security device based on its capabilities and requirements. The distribution system analyzes device characteristics and generates or adapts signatures in appropriate formats for each device type (e.g., firewall-specific, IDS-specific, router-specific), ensuring optimal mitigation effectiveness for each device while maintaining a standardized generation process that doesn't significantly increase overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes parameter changes by modifying signature parameters according to device-specific requirements. The automated distribution system adjusts signature format, length, and structure parameters to match each receiving device's specifications, transforming a base signature into device-optimized versions without requiring complete redesign of the signature generation process, thus balancing complexity and effectiveness.
3Reliability
If multiple device-specific signatures are generated, then mitigation effectiveness for each device is improved, but the complexity of signature management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies segmentation by dividing the signature management process into distinct, automated segments: signature generation, device analysis, signature adaptation, distribution, and validation. Each security device receives only the signatures relevant to its function, and the automated system handles the complexity of managing multiple device-specific signatures through structured workflows, reducing the perceived complexity for operators while maintaining high mitigation effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and computer program product for identifying a worm are disclosed. The system, method, and computer product are configured to generate a signature for a computer worm by identifying a set of bits representing the signature, generate a first worm signature based on the signature, and generate a second worm signature based on the signature. The first worm signature is formatted for a first device and the second worm signature is formatted for a second, different device. The first worm signature and the second worm signature are different.