Detection and Elimination of Inference Channels in Multilevel Relational Database Systems

  • Authors:
  • Xiaolei Qian;Mark E. Stickel;Peter D. Karp;Teresa F. Lunt;Thomas D. Carvey

  • Affiliations:
  • -;-;-;-;-

  • Venue:
  • SP '93 Proceedings of the 1993 IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy
  • Year:
  • 1993

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Abstract

Multilevel relational database systems store information at different security classifications. An inference problem exists if it is possible for a user with a low-level clearance to draw conclusions about information at higher classifications. We are developing DISSECT, a tool for analyzing multilevel relational database schemas to assist in the detection and eliminationof inference problems. A translation is defined from schemas to an equivalent graph representation, which can be presented graphically in DISSECT. The initial focus is on detection of inference problems that depend only on information all of which is stored inthe database. In particular, we identify us potential inference problems different sequences of foreign key relationships that connect the same entities. Inferences can be blocked by upgrading the security classification of some of foreign key relationships. We suggest aglobal optimization approach to upgrading to block a set of inference problems that U11OWSupgrade costs to be considered and supports security categories as wellas levels.