George Mason University

Brian C O'Berry

Sushil Jajodia

Steven E Noel

Michael A Jacobs

Eric B Robertson

Pramod Kalapa

Robert G Weierbach

Disclosed is a system for modeling, analyzing, and responding to network attacks. Machines are mapped to components, components are mapped to vulnerabilities, and vulnerabilities are mapped to exploits. Each of the exploits includes at least one precondition mapped to at least one postcondition. An attack graph which defines inter-exploit distances is generated using at least one of the exploits. The attack graph is aggregated. At least one hardening option is determined using the aggregated attack graph. Hardening options include applying at least one corrective measure to at least one initial condition, where the initial condition is the initial state of a precondition.

Network attack modeling, analysis, and response

Disclosed is a network hardening mechanism. The mechanism: generates a dependency graph from a multitude of exploits; constructs a goal conditions expression which may then be used to determine set(s) of safe network configurations. A subset of these safe network configuration sets may then be selected for implementation using hardening costs as a criterion.

Minimum-cost network hardening

Growing community of inventors

North Potomac, MD, United States of America

Brian C O'Berry