| Recurring |
one_organization, multiple_organization |
(a) The software failure incident related to hot tubs being vulnerable to hacking due to a security flaw has happened again within the same organization. Balboa Water Group (BWG), the company running the affected system, had been "surprised" to learn of the flaw despite their app being available for five years without any reported problems [79114].
(b) The incident of software vulnerability affecting household items like hot tubs has also been a recurring issue across multiple organizations. The security company Pen Test Partners warned that many Christmas gifts connecting to the internet and offering remote control through apps could be at risk, indicating a broader industry problem with manufacturers not taking security seriously enough [79114]. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design, operation |
(a) The software failure incident related to the design phase is evident in the hot tub hack incident reported in Article 79114. The vulnerability in the hot tubs' online security system allowed hackers to remotely control the tubs by exploiting a hole in the security. The flaw in the system design, particularly in how the tubs communicated with third-party wi-fi databases, enabled attackers to target specific tubs using GPS location data. This design flaw introduced by the system development allowed unauthorized access and control over the hot tubs [79114].
(b) The software failure incident related to the operation phase is highlighted by the misuse of default passwords in the hot tubs' online controls. The article mentions that users were advised to reset any default passwords immediately with unique ones to enhance security. The failure in the operation phase, where users did not change default passwords, contributed to the vulnerability of the system to hacking and unauthorized access. This misuse of the system's operation procedures led to the security breach in the hot tubs [79114]. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system |
(a) The software failure incident related to the hot tub hack can be categorized as within_system. The vulnerability in the hot tubs' online security system allowed hackers to exploit the system and control the hot tubs remotely. The flaw in the system, which enabled attackers to manipulate the temperature, pumps, and lights of the hot tubs, originated from within the system itself. The lack of robust security measures within the system, such as default passwords and authentication protocols, contributed to the vulnerability [79114]. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions, human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident occurring due to non-human actions:
The hot tub hack incident was primarily due to a vulnerability in the online security system of the hot tubs, allowing hackers to remotely control the temperature, pumps, and lights. This vulnerability was exploited through third-party wi-fi databases that could pinpoint specific tubs using GPS location data, without the need for any other authentication [79114].
(b) The software failure incident occurring due to human actions:
The failure in the hot tubs' security system was also attributed to the lack of robust security measures implemented by the manufacturer, Balboa Water Group (BWG). BWG had initially opted for a simple and easy-to-use system without individual usernames and passwords to allow for easy activation by homeowners. This decision was criticized as irresponsible by security experts, highlighting the importance of manufacturers taking security more seriously [79114]. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
hardware, software |
(a) The software failure incident occurring due to hardware:
- The hot tub hack revealed a security vulnerability in the online control system of hot tubs, allowing hackers to remotely control the temperature, pumps, and lights of the tubs [79114].
- The vulnerability stemmed from a hole in the online security of the hot tubs, which could be exploited due to third-party wi-fi databases allowing hackers to pinpoint specific tubs using GPS location data [79114].
(b) The software failure incident occurring due to software:
- The software failure incident in this case was primarily due to a lack of robust security measures in the software controlling the hot tubs, as highlighted by Pen Test Partners, the security company that discovered the vulnerability [79114].
- The software flaw allowed attackers to manipulate the hot tubs through the app without requiring any additional authentication, indicating a software-related issue in the control system [79114]. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
malicious, non-malicious |
(a) The software failure incident in this case is malicious. The hot tubs were vulnerable to being hacked and controlled remotely by attackers due to a security flaw in their online system. The hackers could manipulate the temperature, pumps, and lights of the hot tubs using a laptop or smartphone. The vulnerability was exploited by using third-party wi-fi databases to pinpoint specific tubs based on their GPS location data. This incident demonstrates a deliberate attempt by malicious actors to exploit the security loophole in the hot tubs' software system for unauthorized control and access [79114].
(b) The incident also highlights a non-malicious aspect where the manufacturer, Balboa Water Group (BWG), had initially opted for a less secure system to allow for simple and easy use by homeowners. They had not implemented individual usernames and passwords for online controls to make the activation process easier for users. However, this decision was criticized as irresponsible by security experts like Ken Munro, who emphasized the importance of prioritizing security over convenience in IoT devices. This non-malicious aspect of the incident points to a lack of robust security measures being implemented initially, which inadvertently exposed the hot tubs to potential hacking risks [79114]. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
poor_decisions, accidental_decisions |
(a) In the software failure incident related to the hot tub hack, the intent of the failure incident can be attributed to poor decisions made by the manufacturer, Balboa Water Group (BWG). BWG had opted not to implement individual usernames and passwords for their app for five years to "allow for simple and easy use and activation" by homeowners. This decision was criticized by the security researchers as irresponsible and taking away consumer choice and users' right to privacy and security [79114].
(b) Additionally, the failure incident can also be linked to accidental decisions or unintended consequences. The lack of robust security measures in place for the hot tubs allowed for vulnerabilities to be exploited by hackers, leading to the remote control of the tubs. The security researchers highlighted that manufacturers are not taking security seriously enough, and consumers need to be vigilant in resetting default passwords to prevent such incidents [79114]. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
development_incompetence, accidental |
(a) The software failure incident in the hot tub hack revealed by BBC Click was due to development incompetence. The vulnerability in the hot tubs' online security that allowed hackers to remotely control the tubs was a result of a hole in the security system designed by Balboa Water Group (BWG) [79114]. The security flaw was present in the system for five years without being detected by users, indicating a lack of professional competence in ensuring robust security measures were in place by the development organization.
(b) Additionally, the accidental factor contributing to the software failure incident was the unintended exposure of hot tubs to hacking due to third-party wi-fi databases that allowed hackers to pinpoint specific tubs using GPS location data [79114]. This accidental exposure of the hot tubs to potential attacks highlights the unintended consequences of relying on external databases for location information, leading to the vulnerability exploited by hackers. |
| Duration |
temporary |
The software failure incident described in the article is more aligned with a temporary failure rather than a permanent one. The vulnerability in the hot tubs' online security allowed for remote control by hackers due to a specific flaw in the system. The affected company, Balboa Water Group, acknowledged the issue and pledged to introduce a more robust security system to fix the problem by the end of February [79114]. This indicates that the failure was due to contributing factors introduced by certain circumstances (vulnerability in the system) rather than being a permanent issue inherent to all circumstances. |
| Behaviour |
omission, other |
(a) crash: The software failure incident in the article is not related to a crash where the system loses state and does not perform any of its intended functions.
(b) omission: The software failure incident in the article is related to omission, where the system omits to perform its intended functions at an instance(s). The vulnerability in the hot tubs' online security allowed hackers to control the hot tubs remotely, adjusting temperature, controlling pumps and lights, due to a hole in the security system [79114].
(c) timing: The software failure incident in the article is not related to timing, where the system performs its intended functions correctly but too late or too early.
(d) value: The software failure incident in the article is not related to a failure due to the system performing its intended functions incorrectly.
(e) byzantine: The software failure incident in the article is not related to a byzantine failure where the system behaves erroneously with inconsistent responses and interactions.
(f) other: The behavior of the software failure incident in the article is related to a security vulnerability that allowed unauthorized control of hot tubs, demonstrating a flaw in the system's design and implementation [79114]. |