Content Disarm and Reconstruction (CDR) is a proactive security measure designed to mitigate file-based threats. Unlike traditional security tools that scan for known malware signatures, CDR operates on the assumption that any file could be malicious. Its purpose is to neutralize threats by deconstructing files and rebuilding them with only safe, verifiable components.
The process functions as follows:
- Decomposition: An incoming file, such as a PDF, Word document, or image, is disassembled into its individual parts. This separates the file’s core content (text, images, data) from its active, executable components (macros, scripts, embedded objects).
- Threat Removal: All active and potentially malicious elements are stripped out. The CDR system does not need to identify the code as known malware; it simply removes all dynamic content. This capability is what allows CDR to protect against zero-day exploits and unknown threats that would bypass signature-based antivirus solutions.
- Content Reconstruction: A new, clean file is then rebuilt from the sanitized, static components. This reconstructed file is guaranteed to be free of any hidden scripts or exploits.
- Secure Delivery: The safe file is delivered to the end-user. The integrity and functionality of the file’s content remain intact, but its potential to execute malicious code is eliminated.
CDR’s primary value lies in its preventative, trust-nothing approach. It is a critical layer of defense for organizations that frequently handle files from external sources, such as email attachments or web downloads. By focusing on the intrinsic security of the file’s content rather than on a database of known threats, CDR provides a robust and scalable solution for protecting against the evolving landscape of file-borne attacks.