| Recurring |
one_organization, multiple_organization |
(a) The software failure incident having happened again at one_organization:
The article mentions a previous router-hacking campaign that used routers as eavesdropping points or for DDoS attacks, but the Slingshot hackers in this incident exploited routers as a foothold to drop spyware deeper inside a network [69231]. This indicates a similar incident involving routers within the same organization or with its products and services.
(b) The software failure incident having happened again at multiple_organization:
The article discusses the possibility that the Slingshot campaign, which exploited vulnerabilities in MikroTik routers, targeted internet cafes in developing countries where MikroTik routers are popular [69231]. This suggests that similar incidents may have occurred at multiple organizations or with their products and services. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design, operation |
(a) The software failure incident related to the design phase can be seen in the case of the Slingshot hacking campaign discussed in Article 69231. The hackers exploited routers as a foothold to drop highly sophisticated spyware deeper inside a network, onto the computers that connect to those compromised internet access points. The spyware planted on more than a hundred targets in 11 countries, mostly in Kenya and Yemen, gained access to the deepest level of victim computers' operating system, known as the kernel, taking full control of target machines. The hackers used routers as an overlooked place to spread infections to sensitive computers within a network, allowing deeper access to spies [69231].
(b) The software failure incident related to the operation phase can be observed in the case of the Slingshot campaign as well. The spyware modules installed on the target PCs had the ability to collect screenshots, read information from open windows, read the contents of the computer's hard drive and any peripherals, monitor the local network, and log keystrokes and passwords. This operation of the spyware on the infected machines was a result of the hackers gaining access to the routers and using them as a foothold to spread the infection to sensitive computers within the network [69231]. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system, outside_system |
From the provided article [69231], the software failure incident related to the Slingshot campaign involved a combination of factors both within and outside the system:
(a) within_system: The failure within the system was due to the exploitation of vulnerabilities within the MikroTik routers, particularly through the use of the "Winbox" software that allowed the attackers to download malicious files onto the victim's machine [69231].
(b) outside_system: The failure outside the system was attributed to the state-sponsored hacking operation that utilized the compromised routers as a foothold to drop spyware deeper inside the network, targeting computers that connect to those compromised internet access points [69231]. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident occurring due to non-human actions:
The software failure incident described in the article is primarily due to a sophisticated state-sponsored hacking operation targeting routers to drop spyware deeper inside networks. The hackers exploited routers as a foothold to infect computers within the network, allowing deeper access to sensitive information. The spyware planted on the target machines had the ability to collect screenshots, read information, monitor the network, and log keystrokes and passwords [69231].
(b) The software failure incident occurring due to human actions:
The article does not specifically mention any software failure incident caused by contributing factors introduced by human actions. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
hardware, software |
(a) The software failure incident occurring due to hardware:
The article mentions a software failure incident related to routers being hacked and used as a foothold to drop spyware deeper inside a network. The compromised routers, particularly MikroTik routers, were exploited by hackers to gain access to the deepest level of victim computers' operating system, known as the kernel, allowing full control of target machines [69231].
(b) The software failure incident occurring due to software:
The same incident also highlights a software failure incident where the spyware was planted on more than a hundred targets in 11 countries, mostly in Kenya and Yemen. The spyware had the ability to collect screenshots, read information from open windows, read the contents of the computer's hard drive and any peripherals, monitor the local network, and log keystrokes and passwords. This software failure incident involved the use of sophisticated spyware modules that ran with deep kernel access on the target computers [69231]. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
malicious |
(a) The objective of the software failure incident was malicious, as it involved a state-sponsored hacking operation that used hacked routers as a foothold to drop highly sophisticated spyware deeper inside networks to gain full control of target machines [69231]. The hackers exploited routers' position as a little-scrutinized foothold to spread infections to sensitive computers within a network, allowing deeper access for spying purposes. The spyware planted on targets had the ability to collect sensitive information, monitor networks, and log keystrokes and passwords, indicating a clear intent to harm the systems and compromise security.
(b) The software failure incident was non-malicious in the sense that the initial infection point for many of the attacks was not confirmed, and there were unanswered questions about how the initial infection of the routers took place in some cases [69231]. Additionally, the article mentioned that the latest version of MikroTik routers no longer install any software on the user's PC, removing the path for the spyware to infect target computers, indicating a non-malicious effort to improve security and prevent further infections. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
unknown |
(a) The intent of the software failure incident related to poor_decisions:
The software failure incident described in the article was not primarily due to poor decisions but rather a sophisticated state-sponsored hacking operation targeting routers to drop spyware deeper inside networks [69231]. The hackers exploited routers as a foothold to infect sensitive computers within a network, allowing for deeper access to spy on the targets. The hackers gained access to the kernel of victim computers, taking full control of the machines. The campaign, known as "Slingshot," was believed to have persisted undetected for six years and targeted routers using a specific software vulnerability [69231].
(b) The intent of the software failure incident related to accidental_decisions:
The software failure incident was not accidental but rather a deliberate and sophisticated cyberespionage campaign orchestrated by unknown actors, possibly a government entity due to its level of sophistication and targeting of specific countries [69231]. The hackers behind the Slingshot campaign used advanced techniques to infect routers and spread spyware onto target computers within networks. The malware deployed by the hackers had the capability to collect sensitive information from infected machines, monitor networks, and log keystrokes and passwords [69231]. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
unknown |
(a) The software failure incident related to development incompetence is not explicitly mentioned in the provided article. Therefore, it is unknown if the failure was due to contributing factors introduced due to lack of professional competence by humans or the development organization.
(b) The software failure incident related to an accidental failure is not explicitly mentioned in the provided article. Therefore, it is unknown if the failure was due to contributing factors introduced accidentally. |
| Duration |
permanent |
(a) The software failure incident described in the article is more of a permanent nature. The Slingshot hacking campaign, as revealed by security researchers at Kaspersky, persisted undetected for the last six years [69231]. This indicates that the failure was ongoing and sustained over a significant period, making it a permanent issue rather than a temporary one. |
| Behaviour |
omission, value, byzantine, other |
(a) crash: The software failure incident described in the articles does not specifically mention a crash where the system loses state and stops performing its intended functions.
(b) omission: The failure in this incident can be related to omission as the compromised routers were used as a foothold to drop spyware deeper inside a network, onto the computers that connect to those compromised internet access points. This omission led to the spyware being planted on more than a hundred targets in 11 countries, mostly in Kenya and Yemen [69231].
(c) timing: The incident does not involve a timing failure where the system performs its intended functions but at the wrong time.
(d) value: The failure can be related to value as the spyware planted on the target machines had the ability to collect screenshots, read information from open windows, read the contents of the computer's hard drive and any peripherals, monitor the local network, and log keystrokes and passwords. This incorrect behavior of the spyware compromised the security and privacy of the affected systems [69231].
(e) byzantine: The behavior of the software failure incident can be categorized as byzantine as the spyware operated with deep kernel access, allowing the hackers to gain full control of the target machines and collect sensitive information without detection for a long period of time. The spyware's ability to operate in a stealthy manner and spread infections within the network showcases the byzantine nature of the attack [69231].
(f) other: The other behavior observed in this incident is the sophisticated and stealthy nature of the attack. The hackers utilized compromised routers as a foothold to infiltrate networks and spread spyware onto target machines, demonstrating a high level of sophistication in their approach. Additionally, the attack persisted undetected for six years, indicating a long-term and persistent strategy by the attackers [69231]. |