IP Library Granted Patent US 12,267,369
Granted Patent B2
US 12,267,369 · App. 18/622,996 · Granted Apr 1, 2025

Cybersecurity analysis and protection using distributed systems

Inventors: Jason Crabtree (Vienna, VA); Michael James (Independence, MO); Andrew Sellers (Monument, CO); Farooq Shaikh (Reston, VA)
Assignee: QOMPLX LLC
H04L63/20G06F16/2477G06F16/951H04L61/4511H04L63/0236H04L63/1425H04L63/1433H04L63/1441H04L63/0281H04L63/1416H04L63/1475
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,267,369
App. No.
18/622,996
Granted
Apr 1, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Cybersecurity reconnaissance, analysis, and scoring uses distributed, cloud or edge-based pools of computing services to provide sufficient scalability for analysis of IT/OT networks using only publicly available characterizations. An in-memory associative array manages a queue of configuration and vulnerability search tasks through at least one public-facing proxy network which uses configurable search nodes to approach the target network with search tools in a desired manner to control certain aspects of the search in order to obtain the desired results, especially when target network behavior adjusts based on counterparty characteristics. A data packet modifier reveals IP addresses of threat actors behind port scans and subsequently block the threat actors.

Claims (57)

1. A system for cybersecurity analysis and protection employing a cyber decision platform, comprising one or more computers with executable instructions that, when executed, cause the system to:

execute a plurality of Internet search tasks for a domain name comprising searches for, and receipt of search results for, one or more domain name system records;

identify Internet protocol addresses associated with the domain name from the one or more domain name system records;

execute a first plurality of Internet protocol address scanning tasks comprising an open port scan for each Internet protocol address identified and a vulnerability scan for each open port;

receive a list of open ports, associated vulnerabilities, and a baseline and service fingerprint profile for the domain name;

execute a second plurality of Internet protocol address scanning tasks comprising a port scan detection task for each Internet protocol address identified; and

store the received search results and the results of the first and second pluralities of Internet protocol address scanning tasks;

receive a cybersecurity scoring model, the cybersecurity scoring model comprising category weights for the one or more domain name system records, the list of open ports, and associated vulnerabilities and further comprising an algorithm for combining the categories using the category weights;

compute a cybersecurity score by applying the algorithm to the weighted categories; and

generate a cybersecurity portion of a baseline and service fingerprint profile for the domain name based on the cybersecurity score.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the executable instructions, when executed, further cause the system to:

receive a data packet associated with a detected port scan;

generate and send a reply data packet with a modified header, the modified header comprising a flag and a bad sequence number to compel a sniffing machine to return a response data packet, the response data packet revealing the sniffing machine's Internet protocol address; and

block the sniffing machine's Internet protocol address.

3. A computing system for cybersecurity analysis and protection employing a cyber decision platform, the computing system comprising:

one or more hardware processors configured for:

executing a plurality of Internet search tasks for a domain name comprising searches for, and receipt of search results for, one or more domain name system records;

identifying Internet protocol addresses associated with the domain name from the one or more domain name system records;

executing a first plurality of Internet protocol address scanning tasks comprising an open port scan for each Internet protocol address identified and a vulnerability scan for each open port;

receiving a list of open ports, associated vulnerabilities, and a baseline and service fingerprint profile for the domain name;

executing a second plurality of Internet protocol address scanning tasks comprising a port scan detection task for each Internet protocol address identified; and

storing the received search results and the results of the first and second pluralities of Internet protocol address scanning tasks;

receiving a cybersecurity scoring model, the cybersecurity scoring model comprising category weights for the one or more domain name system records, the list of open ports, and associated vulnerabilities and further comprising an algorithm for combining the categories using the category weights;

computing a cybersecurity score by applying the algorithm to the weighted categories; and

generating a cybersecurity portion of a baseline and service fingerprint profile for the domain name based on the cybersecurity score.

4. The computing system of claim 3 , wherein the one or more hardware processors are further configured for:

receiving a data packet associated with a detected port scan;

generating and send a reply data packet with a modified header, the modified header comprising a flag and a bad sequence number to compel a sniffing machine to return a response data packet, the response data packet revealing the sniffing machine's Internet protocol address; and

blocking the sniffing machine's Internet protocol address.

5. A method for cybersecurity analysis and protection using distributed computing services, comprising the steps of:

executing a plurality of Internet search tasks for a domain name comprising searches for, and receipt of search results for, one or more domain name system records;

identifying Internet protocol addresses associated with the domain name from the one or more domain name system records;

executing a first plurality of Internet protocol address scanning tasks comprising an open port scan for each Internet protocol address identified and a vulnerability scan for each open port;

receiving a list of open ports, associated vulnerabilities, and a baseline and service fingerprint profile for the domain name;

executing a second plurality of Internet protocol address scanning tasks comprising a port scan detection task for each Internet protocol address identified; and

storing the received search results and the results of the first and second pluralities of Internet protocol address scanning tasks;

receiving a cybersecurity scoring model, the cybersecurity scoring model comprising category weights for the one or more domain name system records, the list of open ports, and associated vulnerabilities and further comprising an algorithm for combining the categories using the category weights;

computing a cybersecurity score by applying the algorithm to the weighted categories; and

generating a cybersecurity portion of a baseline and service fingerprint profile for the domain name based on the cybersecurity score.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising the steps of:

receiving a data packet associated with a detected port scan;

generating and send a reply data packet with a modified header, the modified header comprising a flag and a bad sequence number to compel a sniffing machine to return a response data packet, the response data packet revealing the sniffing machine's Internet protocol address; and

blocking the sniffing machine's Internet protocol address.

7. Non-transitory, computer-readable storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed by one or more processors of a computing system employing a cyber decision platform for detection and mitigation of cyberattacks, cause the computing system to:

execute a plurality of Internet search tasks for a domain name comprising searches for, and receipt of search results for, one or more domain name system records;

identify Internet protocol addresses associated with the domain name from the one or more domain name system records;

execute a first plurality of Internet protocol address scanning tasks comprising an open port scan for each Internet protocol address identified and a vulnerability scan for each open port;

receive a list of open ports, associated vulnerabilities, and a baseline and service fingerprint profile for the domain name;

execute a second plurality of Internet protocol address scanning tasks comprising a port scan detection task for each Internet protocol address identified; and

store the received search results and the results of the first and second pluralities of Internet protocol address scanning tasks;

receive a cybersecurity scoring model, the cybersecurity scoring model comprising category weights for the one or more domain name system records, the list of open ports, and associated vulnerabilities and further comprising an algorithm for combining the categories using the category weights;

compute a cybersecurity score by applying the algorithm to the weighted categories; and

generate a cybersecurity portion of a baseline and service fingerprint profile for the domain name based on the cybersecurity score.

8. The non-transitory, computer-readable storage media of claim 7 , wherein the computing system is further caused to:

receive a data packet associated with a detected port scan;

generate and send a reply data packet with a modified header, the modified header comprising a flag and a bad sequence number to compel a sniffing machine to return a response data packet, the response data packet revealing the sniffing machine's Internet protocol address; and

block the sniffing machine's Internet protocol address.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE RECEIVING PARTY DATA COMPANY NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 67566 FRAME 797. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Sep 25, 2024
From: QOMPLX, INC.
To: QPX LLC
Reel/Frame 069048/0586 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 29, 2024
From: QPX LLC
To: QOMPLX LLC
Reel/Frame 067557/0279 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 29, 2024
From: QOMPLX, INC.
To: QOMPLX LLC
Reel/Frame 067566/0797 →
Continuity (21)
Continuation 17589774 · Jan 31, 2022
Continuation In Part 16887304 · May 29, 2020
Continuation In Part 16837551 · Apr 1, 2020
Continuation In Part 16777270 · Jan 30, 2020
Continuation In Part 16720383 · Dec 19, 2019
Continuation 15823363 · Nov 27, 2017
Continuation In Part 15818733 · Nov 20, 2017
Continuation In Part 15725274 · Oct 4, 2017
Continuation In Part 15725274 · Oct 4, 2017
Continuation In Part 15655113 · Jul 20, 2017
Continuation In Part 15616427 · Jun 7, 2017
Continuation In Part 15237625 · Aug 15, 2016
Continuation In Part 15206195 · Jul 8, 2016
Continuation In Part 15186453 · Jun 18, 2016
Continuation In Part 15166158 · May 26, 2016
Continuation In Part 15141752 · Apr 28, 2016
Continuation In Part 15091563 · Apr 5, 2016
Continuation In Part 14986536 · Dec 31, 2015
Continuation In Part 14925974 · Oct 28, 2015
Continuation In Part 14925974 · Oct 28, 2015
Related Publication 20240244090A1 · Jul 18, 2024
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