| Recurring |
one_organization |
(a) The software failure incident of mistakenly reopening a security flaw in the latest version of iOS has happened again within the same organization, Apple. The incident involved Apple accidentally reversing a security fix it had previously patched in iOS 12.3 [88555].
(b) The incident of a software failure related to a security vulnerability in iOS has not been explicitly mentioned to have occurred at multiple organizations in the provided article. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design, operation |
(a) The software failure incident in the article is related to the design phase. Apple mistakenly reopened a security flaw in the latest version of iOS (iOS 12.4) while fixing other security bugs and enabling support for the Apple Card. This mistake occurred during the development phase when the company accidentally reversed a security fix that had been previously patched in iOS 12.3 [88555].
(b) The software failure incident in the article is also related to the operation phase. Users are being warned to exercise caution over their cybersecurity as a result of the vulnerability in iOS 12.4 that allows a malicious application to execute arbitrary code with system privileges. This warning is related to the operation and potential misuse of the system by attackers who may try to exploit the vulnerability [88555]. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system |
(a) within_system: The software failure incident reported in the article is due to a mistake made by Apple in the latest version of iOS 12.4. Apple accidentally reversed a security fix that had been previously patched in iOS 12.3, leading to the reemergence of a vulnerability that allows malicious applications to execute arbitrary code with system privileges [88555]. This mistake originated from within the system during the software development and update process.
(b) outside_system: The software failure incident does not seem to be directly attributed to factors originating from outside the system. The vulnerability that was mistakenly reopened in iOS 12.4 was initially discovered by Google's bug-hunting team Project Zero, but the root cause of the failure lies within Apple's own software development and update process [88555]. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident in Article 88555 occurred due to non-human_actions. Specifically, Apple mistakenly reopened a security flaw in the latest version of iOS, iOS 12.4, by accidentally reversing a security fix that had been patched in the previous version, iOS 12.3. This vulnerability allowed for the execution of arbitrary code with system privileges, potentially giving complete control over an iPhone to a malicious application [88555]. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
software |
(a) The software failure incident reported in the article is primarily due to contributing factors that originate in software. The incident involves a security flaw in the latest version of iOS (iOS 12.4) where Apple mistakenly reopened a security vulnerability that was previously patched in iOS 12.3 [Article 88555].
(b) The software failure incident is also related to software factors as it involves a security bug in the iOS software that allows a malicious application to execute arbitrary code with system privileges, potentially gaining complete control over an iPhone [Article 88555]. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
malicious |
(a) The software failure incident in Article 88555 is malicious in nature. The incident involved a security flaw in iOS 12.4 that was mistakenly reopened by Apple, allowing for the execution of arbitrary code with system privileges by a malicious application. This vulnerability could potentially give complete control over an iPhone to hackers and spies. Additionally, the incident led to the availability of a public jailbreak for iOS 12.4, raising concerns about the safety of apps downloaded from the Apple AppStore, as any app could potentially contain a copy of the jailbreak [88555]. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
poor_decisions |
(a) The software failure incident related to the iOS 12.4 release by Apple can be categorized under poor_decisions. This is evident from the fact that Apple mistakenly reopened a security flaw in the latest version of iOS 12.4, which was actually a reversal of a security fix that had been previously patched in iOS 12.3 [88555]. This indicates that the failure was a result of poor decisions made during the software development and release process. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
development_incompetence, accidental |
(a) The software failure incident in Article 88555 can be attributed to development incompetence. Apple mistakenly reopened a security flaw in the latest version of iOS (12.4) while fixing other security bugs and enabling support for the Apple Card. This mistake reversed a security fix that had been previously patched in iOS 12.3. The vulnerability that was accidentally reintroduced theoretically allows a malicious application to execute arbitrary code with system privileges, potentially giving complete control over an iPhone to hackers and spies. This mistake highlights the complexity of software development, even for a company like Apple, and the risks associated with such errors [88555].
(b) The software failure incident in Article 88555 can also be categorized as accidental. The reopening of the security flaw in iOS 12.4 was an unintended consequence of the software update released by Apple. The company accidentally reversed a security fix that had been implemented in the previous version, leading to the reintroduction of a critical vulnerability. This accidental mistake created a window of opportunity for potential attackers to exploit the flaw until a fix could be released. The incident serves as a reminder of how even well-established companies like Apple can make mistakes in software development that have significant cybersecurity implications [88555]. |
| Duration |
temporary |
The software failure incident described in the article is temporary. The security flaw in iOS 12.4 was a result of Apple mistakenly reopening a security vulnerability that had been previously patched in iOS 12.3. This indicates that the failure was due to specific circumstances or actions taken during the software update process, rather than being a permanent issue inherent to all circumstances [88555]. |
| Behaviour |
value, other |
(a) crash: The software failure incident mentioned in the article is not related to a crash where the system loses state and does not perform any of its intended functions [88555].
(b) omission: The software failure incident is not related to omission where the system omits to perform its intended functions at an instance(s) [88555].
(c) timing: The software failure incident is not related to timing where the system performs its intended functions correctly, but too late or too early [88555].
(d) value: The software failure incident is related to the system performing its intended functions incorrectly. Apple mistakenly reopened a security flaw in the latest version of iOS, allowing a malicious application to execute arbitrary code with system privileges [88555].
(e) byzantine: The software failure incident is not related to a byzantine behavior where the system behaves erroneously with inconsistent responses and interactions [88555].
(f) other: The behavior of the software failure incident is related to a security vulnerability that was accidentally reversed in the latest version of iOS, leading to a situation where a malicious application could gain complete control over an iPhone [88555]. |