| Recurring |
one_organization |
(a) The software failure incident related to the Amazon Echo hacking described in Article 61277 has happened again within the same organization. The security researcher Mark Barnes detailed a technique to install malware on an Amazon Echo, turning it into a personal eavesdropping microphone. This incident highlights a physical security vulnerability in pre-2017 Echo units that allows for unauthorized access and potential spying [61277].
(b) There is no specific mention in the provided article about the software failure incident happening at multiple organizations or with their products and services. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design, operation |
(a) The software failure incident related to the design phase is evident in the security vulnerability discovered by security researcher Mark Barnes in Amazon Echo devices sold before 2017. Barnes detailed a technique that allowed him to install malware on the Echo, creating a "root shell" that gave him access to the device's microphones for eavesdropping purposes. This vulnerability stemmed from a physical security flaw in the design of pre-2017 Echo units, specifically the presence of tiny metal pads under the rubber base that could be exploited to gain unauthorized access to the device's internal hardware [61277].
(b) The software failure incident related to the operation phase is highlighted by the potential risks associated with using Echo devices in public or semi-public places, such as hotel rooms. Barnes warned that devices purchased from sources other than Amazon could be compromised, emphasizing the lack of software updates to protect earlier versions of the Echo from physical security vulnerabilities. This operational risk arises from the possibility of previous users installing malicious software on the device, posing a threat to subsequent users who may not be aware of the compromise [61277]. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system |
(a) within_system: The software failure incident described in the article is primarily due to contributing factors that originate from within the system. The security researcher, Mark Barnes, detailed a technique to install malware on an Amazon Echo, turning it into a wiretap without leaving any physical trace. This technique involved exploiting a physical security vulnerability in pre-2017 Echo units by gaining physical access to the device and manipulating its internal hardware connections [61277]. The failure was a result of flaws in the design and implementation of the Echo's hardware and software, allowing unauthorized access and control over the device's functions.
(b) outside_system: The software failure incident does not seem to be primarily due to contributing factors that originate from outside the system. The security researcher's technique focused on exploiting vulnerabilities within the Echo device itself, rather than external factors beyond the device's control. The incident highlights the importance of securing devices against physical tampering and unauthorized access, rather than external threats [61277]. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident occurring due to non-human actions:
The software failure incident in this case was not due to non-human actions. It was a result of a security vulnerability in the physical hardware of the Amazon Echo device that allowed a security researcher to install malware and turn the device into a wiretapping tool. The vulnerability involved physical access to the device and exploiting connections on the internal hardware, rather than any non-human actions [61277].
(b) The software failure incident occurring due to human actions:
The software failure incident in this case was a result of human actions, specifically the actions of the security researcher Mark Barnes. Barnes detailed a technique that involved physically accessing the Amazon Echo device, soldering connections to the internal hardware, and installing rogue software to turn the device into a wiretapping tool. This incident was a result of deliberate human actions to exploit a security vulnerability in the device [61277]. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
hardware, software |
(a) The software failure incident in the article is related to hardware. The security researcher detailed a technique to install malware on an Amazon Echo by taking advantage of a physical security vulnerability in pre-2017 Echo units. This involved accessing tiny metal pads underneath the rubber base of the device, which were likely used for testing and fixing bugs in the devices before they were sold. By soldering connections to these metal pads and loading his own version of the Echo's bootloader, the researcher was able to gain control over the device's microphone functions and stream audio to a remote server [61277].
(b) The software failure incident also has a software aspect to it. The security researcher was able to install his own rogue software on the Amazon Echo after gaining access to the device's hardware. This rogue software allowed him to take over the microphone functions of the Echo and stream its audio to a remote computer. Additionally, the researcher mentioned that his malware could perform other malicious functions like attacking other parts of the network, stealing access to the owner's Amazon account, or installing ransomware [61277]. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
malicious |
(a) The software failure incident described in the article is malicious in nature. The security researcher, Mark Barnes, demonstrated how an Amazon Echo could be turned into a personal eavesdropping microphone by installing malware on the device without leaving any physical trace. Barnes detailed a technique to root the Echo, install rogue software, create a "root shell," and remotely snoop on its microphones [61277]. This incident involved exploiting a physical security vulnerability in pre-2017 Echo units to gain unauthorized access and control over the device, allowing for potential spying and other malicious activities. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
unknown |
(a) The intent of the software failure incident was not due to poor decisions but rather due to a physical security vulnerability in the pre-2017 Amazon Echo units that allowed a security researcher to install malware on the device and turn it into a wiretap [61277]. The incident was a result of exploiting a hardware flaw rather than poor decisions made during the development or deployment of the software. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
development_incompetence, unknown |
(a) The software failure incident related to development incompetence is evident in the article as the security researcher, Mark Barnes, was able to exploit a physical security vulnerability in pre-2017 Amazon Echo units. Barnes detailed a technique to install malware on an Echo, gaining access to its microphone functions and streaming audio to a remote server without leaving any physical trace. This exploit was possible due to a flaw in the design of the Echo's hardware connections, which allowed unauthorized access and manipulation of the device's software [61277].
(b) The software failure incident related to accidental factors is not explicitly mentioned in the provided article. |
| Duration |
temporary |
The software failure incident described in the article [61277] can be categorized as a temporary failure. The security researcher demonstrated a technique to install malware on Amazon Echo devices sold before 2017, allowing for unauthorized access and eavesdropping. However, Amazon has since fixed the security flaw in the most recent version of the Echo, indicating that the failure was temporary and specific to devices sold before the fix was implemented. |
| Behaviour |
value, other |
(a) crash: The software failure incident described in the article does not involve a crash where the system loses state and stops performing its intended functions. Instead, it involves a security researcher demonstrating how an Amazon Echo can be hacked to turn it into a personal eavesdropping microphone without leaving any physical trace [Article 61277].
(b) omission: The incident does not involve the system omitting to perform its intended functions at an instance(s). Instead, it focuses on the unauthorized installation of malware on an Amazon Echo to silently stream audio from the hacked device to a remote server [Article 61277].
(c) timing: The failure is not related to the system performing its intended functions too late or too early. It is more about the security vulnerability in older Amazon Echo units that allows for the installation of rogue software to compromise the device's security [Article 61277].
(d) value: The software failure incident does involve the system performing its intended functions incorrectly. In this case, the incorrect behavior is related to the unauthorized installation of malware on the Amazon Echo to turn it into a wiretapping device, allowing the hacker to snoop on its always-listening microphones [Article 61277].
(e) byzantine: The incident does not involve the system behaving erroneously with inconsistent responses and interactions. Instead, it focuses on a specific security vulnerability in older Amazon Echo units that can be exploited to compromise the device's security [Article 61277].
(f) other: The other behavior in this software failure incident is related to the unauthorized access and manipulation of the Amazon Echo's hardware and software to turn it into a surveillance tool without the user's knowledge. This unauthorized access highlights a significant security flaw in the device that could potentially be exploited by malicious actors [Article 61277]. |