An Attribute-Based Delegation Model and Its Extension

Abstract

In existing delegation models, delegation security entirely depends on delegators and security administrators, for delegation constraint in these models is only a prerequisite condition. This paper proposes an Attribute-Based Delegation Model (ABDM) with an extended delegation constraint consisting of both delegation attribute expression (DAE) and delegation prerequisite condition (CR). In ABDM, a delegatee must satisfy delegation constraint (especially DAE) when assigned to a delegation role. With delegation constraint, a delegator can restrict the delegatee candidates more strictly. ABDM relieves delegators and security administrators of security management work in delegation. In ABDM, a delegator is not allowed to temporarily delegate permissions to a person who does not satisfy the delegation constraint. To guarantee its flexibility and security, an extension of ABDM named ABDMX is proposed. In ABDMX, a delegator can delegate some high level permissions to low level delegatee candidates temporarily, but not permanently.