Incident: Wi-Fi WPA2 Protocol Vulnerability (Krack Attack) - Impact and Response

Published Date: 2017-10-16

Postmortem Analysis
Timeline 1. The software failure incident happened in October 2017 [Article 63828, Article 63913, Article 64136, Article 64294].
System 1. WPA2 protocol 2. Wi-Fi connections 3. Android 6.0 or above 4. Linux 5. Routers 6. IoT devices 7. Wi-Fi enabled devices 8. Mesh-network routers 9. Smart-lock products 10. Wi-Fi Alliance certification process 11. Wi-Fi industry's patch deployment process 12. Various devices and operating systems implementing WPA2 protocol 13. Wi-Fi routers and IoT devices in general 14. Wi-Fi networks 15. Encryption keys 16. Wi-Fi connections on various devices 17. WPA2 protocol's four-way handshake 18. Wi-Fi security protocol 19. Wi-Fi connections on various devices 20. Wi-Fi connections on various devices 21. Wi-Fi connections on various devices 22. Wi-Fi connections on various devices 23. Wi-Fi connections on various devices 24. Wi-Fi connections on various devices 25. Wi-Fi connections on various devices 26. Wi-Fi connections on various devices 27. Wi-Fi connections on various devices 28. Wi-Fi connections on various devices 29. Wi-Fi connections on various devices 30. 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Responsible Organization 1. The vulnerability in the Wi-Fi security protocol WPA2 was discovered by security researcher Mathy Vanhoef from Belgian university KU Leuven, leading to the software failure incident [Article 63913]. 2. The flaw in the WPA2 protocol was a fundamental security protocol issue, affecting virtually every device with a Wi-Fi connection, causing the software failure incident [Article 64786].
Impacted Organization 1. The entire tech industry, including nearly every wireless device, routers, security cameras, IoT devices, and more were impacted by the Wi-Fi encryption vulnerability known as Krack attack [63828, 63913, 64136, 64294].
Software Causes 1. A vulnerability in the Wi-Fi security protocol WPA2, known as Krack, allowed attackers to exploit a flaw in the WPA2 protocol's cryptographic protocols, potentially exposing wireless internet traffic to malicious eavesdroppers and attacks [63913, 64136, 64294]. 2. The flaw in the WPA2 protocol's four-way handshake process allowed attackers to manipulate data, inject ransomware or malware into websites, decrypt data, and forge connections, impacting a wide range of devices and operating systems [63913, 64136, 64294]. 3. The vulnerability affected a variety of devices, including Android, Linux, Apple, Windows, OpenBSD, MediaTek, Linksys, and others, making it a widespread issue across different platforms [63913, 64136, 64294]. 4. The flaw in the WPA2 protocol's key management system allowed attackers to reuse encryption keys, reset data packet counters, and potentially decrypt, replay, and forge packets, compromising the security of Wi-Fi connections [64294]. 5. The vulnerability required immediate software updates and patches to mitigate the risk, with companies like Microsoft, Apple, Google, and router manufacturers working on releasing fixes to address the Krack vulnerability [63913, 64136, 64294]. 6. The widespread nature of the vulnerability and the complexity of patching various devices and routers highlighted the challenges in securing Wi-Fi networks and the importance of multi-layered security measures [64294].
Non-software Causes 1. Lack of necessary software updates for IoT devices, including routers, security cameras, and other internet-connected devices, leading to long-term vulnerability [63828]. 2. Complexity and challenges in coordinating efforts between companies, chipset partners, and customers to address vulnerabilities in IoT devices [63828]. 3. Limited ways to inform customers about necessary updates, such as relying on emails, advisories, and community forums, which may not reach all users effectively [63828]. 4. Slow process of issuing patches for routers and IoT devices, making it difficult to address vulnerabilities promptly [64136]. 5. Difficulty in patching low-cost consumer devices, leading to long-term vulnerabilities [64136]. 6. Challenges in ensuring all devices are patched due to different approaches taken by companies in implementing the WPA2 protocol [64136]. 7. Delay in companies releasing patches to address the vulnerability, leaving devices exposed until updates are available [64294]. 8. The need for physical proximity for attackers to exploit the vulnerability, limiting the scope of attacks but still posing a risk to all Wi-Fi connections [64294]. 9. The vulnerability affecting a wide range of devices, making it challenging to ensure all devices are patched [64294]. 10. The potential risk to both corporate and domestic Wi-Fi connections until vendors issue patches [64294].
Impacts 1. The vulnerability in Wi-Fi encryption known as the Krack attack affected nearly every wireless device, leaving them subject to hijacked internet connections, potentially exposing sensitive information like credit card numbers, passwords, and emails [63828, 63913, 64136]. 2. The Krack vulnerability impacted a wide range of operating systems and devices, including Android, Linux, Apple, Windows, OpenBSD, MediaTek, Linksys, and others, making it a significant threat to the security of Wi-Fi connections [63913, 64294]. 3. The Krack vulnerability allowed attackers to decrypt and manipulate data on Wi-Fi networks, inject ransomware or malware into websites, and potentially forge connections, posing a serious risk to data security [63913, 64136, 64294]. 4. The vulnerability required immediate patching of devices and routers to mitigate the risks, with companies like Apple, Google, Microsoft, and router manufacturers working on releasing patches to address the issue [63913, 64294, 64786]. 5. The Krack vulnerability highlighted the need for users to update their devices, apply security patches, and take additional measures like using VPNs to protect their data from potential attacks [64294, 64786].
Preventions 1. Timely software updates and patches for affected devices and routers could have prevented the software failure incident [63828, 63913, 64136, 64294]. 2. Implementing a multi-layered security approach in enterprise networks to mitigate risks associated with vulnerabilities like Krack [63828, 63913, 64136, 64294]. 3. Adoption of secure protocols like HTTPS for encrypting internet traffic to add an extra layer of protection against potential attacks [63828, 63913, 64136, 64294]. 4. Using VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) to encrypt all data flowing over the internet, providing a secure tunnel that eavesdroppers cannot spy on [64786].
Fixes 1. Patching devices and routers with available updates to address the vulnerability in the WPA2 protocol [63828, 63913, 64136, 64294]. 2. Implementing software updates for affected products as soon as security updates become available [64294]. 3. Updating router firmware to address the flaw in the WPA2 protocol [64294]. 4. Using VPNs to encrypt data flowing from devices across the internet [64786].
References 1. Mathy Vanhoef, security expert at Belgian university KU Leuven [Article 63913, Article 64136, Article 64294] 2. Kevin Fu, computer scientist at the University of Michigan [Article 63828] 3. HD Moore, network security researcher at Atredis Partners [Article 63828] 4. Bob Rudis, chief data scientist at security company Rapid7 [Article 63828] 5. Lily Hay Newman, technology reporter [Article 63913] 6. Britain’s National Cyber Security Centre [Article 63913] 7. United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (Cert) [Article 63913, Article 64294] 8. Wi-Fi Alliance [Article 64294] 9. Google spokesperson [Article 64294] 10. Prof Alan Woodward, computer security expert from the University of Surrey [Article 64294] 11. Dr. Steven Murdoch from University College, London [Article 64294] 12. Kenneth White, director of the Open Crypto Audit Project [Article 64136] 13. Robert Graham, analyst for the cybersecurity firm Erratasec [Article 64294] 14. Alex Hudson, chief technical officer of subscription service Iron [Article 63913]

Software Taxonomy of Faults

Category Option Rationale
Recurring multiple_organization (a) In the articles, there is no specific mention of a similar software failure incident happening again at a particular organization or with its products and services. (b) The software failure incident related to the Wi-Fi vulnerability known as Krack affected a wide range of organizations and their products and services. The vulnerability impacted nearly every wireless device, including Android, Linux, Apple, Windows, OpenBSD, MediaTek, Linksys, and more [Article 63913]. The flaw in the WPA2 protocol, which is a fundamental security protocol for Wi-Fi connections, left the majority of Wi-Fi connections at risk until patches were issued [Article 64294]. The Wi-Fi vulnerability was a significant issue affecting businesses and homes globally, with the potential to expose wireless internet traffic to malicious eavesdroppers and attacks [Article 64294].
Phase (Design/Operation) design, operation (a) In the software failure incident related to the Wi-Fi vulnerability known as Krack, the incident occurred due to contributing factors introduced during the design phase of the system. The flaw in the WPA2 protocol, which is a fundamental security protocol for wireless connections, was exploited by attackers to read and steal data that was assumed to be safely encrypted [64294]. The flaw in the cryptographic protocols of WPA2 allowed attackers to manipulate data on Wi-Fi networks, inject ransomware or malware into websites, and steal sensitive information such as credit card numbers, passwords, and emails [63913]. This vulnerability affected a wide range of devices, including Android, Linux, Apple, Windows, and others, highlighting a systemic issue in the design of the Wi-Fi security protocol [63913]. (b) The software failure incident also occurred due to contributing factors introduced during the operation phase of the system. The vulnerability in the WPA2 protocol required immediate software updates and patches to mitigate the risk of exploitation by attackers [64294]. The incident highlighted the importance of updating devices and routers to protect against potential attacks, emphasizing the operational aspect of maintaining secure Wi-Fi connections [64786]. Additionally, the need for users to apply security updates as soon as they become available underscored the operational challenges in ensuring the security of Wi-Fi networks [64786].
Boundary (Internal/External) within_system, outside_system (a) The software failure incident related to the Wi-Fi encryption vulnerability known as Krack attack can be categorized as both within_system and outside_system. Within_system: - The Krack attack vulnerability was found in the WPA2 protocol, a fundamental security protocol used for wireless connections [Article 64136]. - The flaw in the WPA2 protocol allowed attackers to exploit the four-way handshake process, leading to the reinstallation of cryptographic keys and potential data interception [Article 64136]. - The vulnerability was present in the Wi-Fi protocol itself, affecting all devices using Wi-Fi connections [Article 64294]. Outside_system: - The Krack attack required physical proximity for hackers to carry out the attack, limiting the scope of the attack to nearby devices [Article 64294]. - The vulnerability in the WPA2 protocol was a flaw in the standard, making virtually all Wi-Fi connections at risk until patches were issued by vendors [Article 64294]. - The attack method was considered "exceptionally devastating" for Android 6.0 or above and Linux devices, indicating a broader impact beyond specific device types [Article 64294].
Nature (Human/Non-human) non-human_actions (a) The software failure incident occurring due to non-human actions: - The software failure incident related to the Wi-Fi security flaw known as Krack was caused by a vulnerability in the WPA2 protocol, a fundamental security protocol used for wireless connections [63913]. - The flaw in the WPA2 protocol allowed attackers to exploit a weakness in the four-way handshake process, enabling them to decrypt and manipulate data on Wi-Fi networks [64136]. - The vulnerability in WPA2 was discovered by researchers and was not intentionally introduced by human actions but rather existed in the protocol itself, making it a non-human action that led to the software failure incident [64294]. (b) The software failure incident occurring due to human actions: - The software failure incident related to the Krack attack was not caused by human actions but rather by a flaw in the WPA2 protocol that was exploited by attackers [63913]. - The attack method known as Krack was discovered by a security researcher, Mathy Vanhoef, who identified a weakness in the WPA2 protocol, highlighting a vulnerability introduced without direct human actions [64294]. - While human actions such as developing and implementing the WPA2 protocol were involved in creating the vulnerability, the specific exploitation of the flaw through the Krack attack was not a result of intentional human actions [64136].
Dimension (Hardware/Software) software (a) The software failure incident occurring due to hardware: - The articles do not mention the software failure incident occurring due to contributing factors originating in hardware. Hence, there is no information available on this aspect. (b) The software failure incident occurring due to software: - The software failure incident related to the Krack attack on Wi-Fi networks is a result of a vulnerability in the WPA2 protocol, which is a software-based security protocol used to secure wireless connections [63913, 64136, 64294]. - The flaw in the WPA2 protocol allowed attackers to exploit the four-way handshake process, leading to the reinstallation of a cryptographic key that had already been used, enabling them to decrypt and manipulate data on Wi-Fi networks [64136, 64294]. - This vulnerability affected a wide range of devices and operating systems, making it a software-related issue impacting the security of Wi-Fi connections [63913, 64136, 64294]. - The incident highlighted the need for software updates and patches to address the vulnerability in the WPA2 protocol, emphasizing the importance of timely software fixes to mitigate such risks [63913, 64136, 64294].
Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) malicious, non-malicious (a) The software failure incident related to the Wi-Fi vulnerability known as Krack is considered malicious as it was a result of a flaw in the WPA2 protocol that could be exploited by attackers to read and steal data, manipulate data, inject ransomware or malware, and potentially hijack connections [Article 63913]. The attack method was described as "exceptionally devastating" for certain devices like Android 6.0 and Linux [Article 64294]. (b) The software failure incident can also be considered non-malicious as it was a vulnerability in the WPA2 protocol that was discovered by a security researcher, Mathy Vanhoef, and was not intentionally introduced to harm the system [Article 63913]. The flaw in the protocol allowed for the exploitation of the four-way handshake process, leading to the exposure of sensitive information and encryption keys [Article 64136].
Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) unknown (a) The intent of the software failure incident: - The software failure incident related to the Wi-Fi security flaw known as Krack was not due to poor decisions or intentional actions. It was a vulnerability in the WPA2 protocol that was discovered by researchers, leaving devices vulnerable to attacks [64294]. - The flaw in the WPA2 protocol was a fundamental security issue that could be exploited by hackers to intercept internet traffic flowing through Wi-Fi connections. The vulnerability was not a result of poor decisions but rather a flaw in the protocol itself [64786].
Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) development_incompetence (a) The software failure incident occurring due to development incompetence: - The vulnerability in the Wi-Fi security protocol WPA2, known as Krack, was discovered by a security expert at Belgian university KU Leuven, highlighting a flaw in the code behind WPA2 that made wireless connections vulnerable to hackers [Article 63913]. - The flaw in the WPA2 protocol's cryptographic protocols allowed attackers to read and steal data that was assumed to be safely encrypted, potentially exposing sensitive information like credit card numbers, passwords, and emails [Article 63913]. - The flaw in WPA2 was a result of a weakness in the wireless security protocol, affecting a number of operating systems and devices, making it a significant vulnerability in the industry [Article 63913]. - The flaw in WPA2 was described as a flaw in the standard, posing a high risk to every single Wi-Fi connection, both corporate and domestic, until vendors of routers issued patches to fix the vulnerability [Article 64294]. (b) The software failure incident occurring accidentally: - The Krack vulnerability was discovered accidentally by a security expert at Belgian university KU Leuven, who identified a flaw in the WPA2 protocol's cryptographic protocols that could be exploited by attackers to manipulate data on Wi-Fi networks [Article 63913]. - The flaw in WPA2 was not intentional but was a result of a system of random number generation known as nonce being reused, allowing attackers to snoop on data being sent over Wi-Fi connections [Article 64294]. - The flaw in WPA2 was not a deliberate introduction but a vulnerability that was discovered and highlighted by researchers, leading to a need for immediate patches to secure Wi-Fi connections [Article 64294].
Duration temporary (a) The articles discuss a temporary software failure incident caused by a vulnerability in the WPA2 protocol known as Krack attack. This vulnerability affected Wi-Fi connections worldwide, leaving them at risk of being exploited by hackers [63913, 64136, 64294]. The vulnerability allowed attackers to intercept and manipulate data on Wi-Fi networks, potentially leading to the theft of sensitive information such as credit card numbers, passwords, and emails [63913]. The flaw in the WPA2 protocol, specifically in the four-way handshake process, enabled attackers to reinstall a cryptographic key, reset encryption key counters, and decrypt data sent over Wi-Fi networks [64136]. The attack required physical proximity to the target device, making it a temporary software failure incident that could be mitigated through software updates and patches [64294]. (b) The articles also mention that the vulnerability in the WPA2 protocol could be exploited by hackers who are physically nearby the target device, indicating that the attack is limited by proximity [64294]. Additionally, the articles highlight that the attack method was devastating for devices running Android 6.0 or above and Linux, suggesting that not all devices were equally impacted by the vulnerability [64294]. The need for software updates and patches to address the vulnerability implies that the software failure incident was temporary and could be remedied through appropriate measures [63913, 64294].
Behaviour crash, omission, value (a) crash: - The Krack attack vulnerability in Wi-Fi encryption can lead to a crash in the system, affecting nearly every wireless device and leaving them subject to hijacked internet connections [63828]. - The flaw in the WPA2 protocol discovered by Mathy Vanhoef can allow hackers to manipulate data on a Wi-Fi network, potentially causing a crash in the system [64294]. (b) omission: - The Krack attack vulnerability can result in the omission of the system to perform its intended functions, as it exposes devices to potential attacks and data theft [63828]. - The flaw in the WPA2 protocol can lead to the omission of the system to secure wireless connections, leaving them vulnerable to hackers who can snoop on the data being sent [64294]. (c) timing: - The Krack attack vulnerability does not directly relate to a timing failure but rather to a security vulnerability in Wi-Fi encryption [63828]. - The flaw in the WPA2 protocol does not involve a timing failure but rather a flaw in the authentication system used to secure wireless connections [64294]. (d) value: - The Krack attack vulnerability can result in a failure of the system to maintain the value of secure internet connections, potentially leading to data theft and manipulation [63828]. - The flaw in the WPA2 protocol can cause a failure in the system to provide the intended value of secure Wi-Fi connections, allowing hackers to intercept sensitive information [64294]. (e) byzantine: - The Krack attack vulnerability does not exhibit a byzantine behavior but rather a security vulnerability in Wi-Fi encryption [63828]. - The flaw in the WPA2 protocol does not involve a byzantine behavior but rather a flaw in the authentication system used to secure wireless connections [64294]. (f) other: - The Krack attack vulnerability and the flaw in the WPA2 protocol do not exhibit any other specific behavior beyond the security vulnerabilities described in the articles [63828, 64294].

IoT System Layer

Layer Option Rationale
Perception None None
Communication None None
Application None None

Other Details

Category Option Rationale
Consequence property, non-human, theoretical_consequence (d) property: People's material goods, money, or data was impacted due to the software failure In the reported software failure incident related to the Wi-Fi vulnerability known as Krack, the property of individuals was impacted. The vulnerability exposed wireless internet traffic to potential malicious eavesdroppers and attacks, putting sensitive information such as credit card numbers, passwords, chat messages, emails, and photos at risk of being stolen [Article 63913]. Additionally, the flaw in the WPA2 protocol could allow attackers to manipulate data on Wi-Fi networks, inject ransomware or malware into websites, and potentially access and control IoT devices like security cameras, garage doors, and connected appliances [Article 63828]. The vulnerability affected a wide range of devices, including Android, Linux, Apple, Windows, and various routers, leaving them susceptible to exploitation [Article 63913].
Domain information (a) The software failure incident related to the production and distribution of information was the Wi-Fi encryption vulnerability known as Krack attack. This vulnerability affected nearly every wireless device, leaving them subject to hijacked internet connections. Major platforms like iOS, macOS, and Windows were either unaffected or had already been patched, but millions of routers and IoT devices were at risk due to the difficulty in applying patches to these devices [63828]. (b) The transportation industry was not directly impacted by the Wi-Fi encryption vulnerability incident reported in the articles. (c) The software failure incident did not directly affect the extraction of materials from Earth in the natural resources industry. (d) The sales industry, involving the exchange of money for products, was not the focus of the Wi-Fi encryption vulnerability incident discussed in the articles. (e) The construction industry, related to creating the built environment, was not specifically mentioned in the context of the software failure incident. (f) The manufacturing industry, involving creating products from materials, was not directly involved in the Wi-Fi encryption vulnerability incident described in the articles. (g) The utilities industry, which includes power, gas, steam, water, and sewage services, was not the primary sector impacted by the software failure incident related to the Wi-Fi encryption vulnerability. (h) The finance industry, dealing with manipulating and moving money for profit, was not directly linked to the software failure incident discussed in the articles. (i) The software failure incident did not directly affect the knowledge industry, encompassing education, research, and space exploration. (j) The health industry, covering healthcare, health insurance, and food industries, was not specifically mentioned in relation to the software failure incident reported in the articles. (k) The entertainment industry, which includes arts, sports, hospitality, and tourism, was not directly involved in the Wi-Fi encryption vulnerability incident described in the articles. (l) The government sector, involving politics, defense, justice, taxes, and public services, was not the main focus of the software failure incident related to the Wi-Fi encryption vulnerability. (m) The software failure incident was not directly related to any of the industries mentioned in options (a) to (l).

Sources

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