The Design And Implementation Of Convoluted Os Kernel Architecture For Secured Network Infrastructure
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Date
2017-12
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KNUST
Abstract
Research into security enhanced kernel architecture has been on going by computer corporations, research institutions and Kernel development engineers for several decades now. Even though the paradigm-shift from performance enhanced kernel development to application level security operating systems improved the safety of operating systems use, it was apparent that more kernel retrofitting need to be implemented at the kernel level since it is a highly privileged section of the architecture, and therefore a compromise in the kernel could affect the security of the entire systems including the performance of security applications which runs on the kernel. This research introduces the Convoluted Kernel Architecture (CKA) which is a security enhanced Linux server based monolithic architecture that re-modifies the original monolithic kernel architecture with additional layer of virtual module within the kernel to improve the security and availability of the Kernel. The system make use of Operating System level virtualization with an integrated security module, which otherwise would have been implemented at the application layer, with a novel authentication module called the Stealth Obfuscation Zero Knowledge Proof algorithm. This research describes how the CKA abstracts the hardware and software layers of conventional servers to implement the operating system all in one security appliance that at the same time, providing High Availability. Finally, this work describes how the CKA protects the core kernel from attacks when upper kernel becomes compromised through vulnerabilities of applications that executes on them or the kernel utilities itself.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE IN PARTIAL
FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEGREE IN DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PhD) IN COMPUTER SCIENCE