| Recurring |
multiple_organization |
The article discusses a software failure incident related to the security vulnerabilities in ATMs due to running outdated operating systems like Windows XP. This incident is not specific to a single organization but rather a widespread issue affecting multiple organizations that operate ATMs globally. The vulnerability of ATMs to cyberattacks due to outdated software is a common problem faced by banks and financial institutions across the globe [89534]. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design, operation |
(a) The software failure incident related to the design phase can be seen in the article [89534] where it is highlighted that the ATMs run on an old operating system, Windows XP, which was released in 2001 and no longer receives security updates. This outdated system design makes the cash machines prime targets for cybercriminals, as they can exploit the vulnerabilities present in the old software to launch cyberattacks.
(b) The software failure incident related to the operation phase is evident in the article [89534] where it is mentioned that despite banks spending billions each year on cyberdefense, the challenge lies in updating and securing the numerous ATM machines individually. This operational challenge makes it easier for cybercriminals to target and exploit the vulnerabilities in the ATM systems during their operation. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system, outside_system |
(a) within_system: The software failure incident described in the article is primarily within the system. The article highlights how the ATM's software, specifically the outdated Windows XP operating system, is a major contributing factor to the vulnerability of the machines to cybercriminals. The article mentions that the ATM's flashy user interface hides an insecure computer running an old operating system on archaic components, making them prime targets for cybercriminals [89534].
(b) outside_system: The article also touches upon factors outside the system contributing to the software failure incident. It mentions that despite banks spending billions each year on cyberdefense, the sheer number of ATMs in the wild makes updating and securing them individually a serious challenge. This external factor of the widespread deployment of vulnerable ATMs makes them attractive targets for hackers [89534]. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident occurring due to non-human actions:
The article highlights how the ATMs' software vulnerabilities, particularly running on outdated operating systems like Windows XP, make them prime targets for cybercriminals. The software running on these ATMs is described as surprisingly insecure, with the flashy user interface acting as a facade hiding the vulnerabilities. The article mentions how cybercriminals can exploit these non-human factors, such as outdated software and lack of security updates, to hack into the ATMs and make them dispense cash without leaving a trace on the transaction log [89534].
(b) The software failure incident occurring due to human actions:
The article does not specifically mention any software failure incident occurring due to human actions. It primarily focuses on the vulnerabilities in the software running on ATMs and how cybercriminals exploit these weaknesses. Therefore, there is no direct information provided in the article about software failure incidents caused by human actions. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
hardware, software |
(a) The software failure incident occurring due to hardware:
The article mentions that the ATMs run on old operating systems on archaic components, with the majority of them running on Windows XP, a platform released in 2001 [Article 89534]. This outdated hardware contributes to the vulnerability of the ATMs, making them prime targets for cybercriminals.
(b) The software failure incident occurring due to software:
The article highlights that the flashy user interface on most bank ATMs hides a surprisingly insecure computer running an old operating system [Article 89534]. This outdated software, coupled with the lack of security updates for the operating system, creates a significant software vulnerability that cybercriminals exploit to launch cyberattacks on the ATMs. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
malicious |
(a) The objective of the software failure incident was malicious, as cybercriminals were able to profit from hacking ATMs by exploiting the insecure computer running an old operating system on archaic components [Article 89534]. The coordinated groups of cybercriminals demonstrated how they could communicate to install code, avoid the ATM's defense mechanisms, and make the machine dispense cash without leaving a record on the transaction log. This indicates a deliberate intent to harm the system and profit from the cyberattacks. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
poor_decisions, accidental_decisions |
(a) The intent of the software failure incident related to poor_decisions:
- The software failure incident in the article is related to poor decisions made by banks and ATM operators in running outdated operating systems like Windows XP on ATMs, which no longer receive security updates [89534].
(b) The intent of the software failure incident related to accidental_decisions:
- The software failure incident can also be related to accidental decisions or unintended consequences, such as the lack of updating and securing individual ATMs due to the challenge posed by the sheer number of machines in the wild, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals [89534]. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
development_incompetence |
(a) The software failure incident related to development incompetence can be inferred from the article. The article highlights the security vulnerabilities in ATMs due to running on outdated operating systems like Windows XP, which no longer receive security updates. This outdated software exposes the ATMs to cybercriminals who can exploit these weaknesses to hack into the machines and make them dispense cash without leaving a trace on the transaction log. The failure to update and secure these machines individually due to the sheer number of ATMs in operation poses a significant challenge for banks in terms of cybersecurity [89534].
(b) The software failure incident related to accidental factors is not explicitly mentioned in the article. The focus of the article is on the deliberate exploitation of security vulnerabilities in ATMs by cybercriminals due to outdated software and lack of individual machine security updates. Therefore, there is no direct indication of accidental factors contributing to the software failure incident in this context. |
| Duration |
temporary |
The software failure incident described in the article [89534] can be categorized as a temporary failure. The article discusses how the ATMs, which run on the outdated Windows XP operating system, are vulnerable to cyberattacks due to the lack of security updates. This vulnerability allows cybercriminals to exploit the machines and make them dispense cash without leaving a trace on the transaction log. This incident highlights a specific circumstance where the software's outdated nature and lack of security updates contribute to the failure, making it a temporary issue rather than a permanent one. |
| Behaviour |
crash, omission, other |
(a) crash: The article describes a scenario where cybercriminals were able to make an ATM "spit cash" by exploiting vulnerabilities in the ATM's software, indicating a failure due to the system losing state and not performing its intended functions [Article 89534].
(b) omission: The article mentions that the ATM software running on outdated operating systems like Windows XP is no longer receiving security updates, making them prime targets for cybercriminals. This omission of security updates can lead to the system omitting to perform its intended functions of ensuring security [Article 89534].
(c) timing: There is no specific mention of a timing-related failure in the article.
(d) value: The article does not explicitly mention a failure due to the system performing its intended functions incorrectly.
(e) byzantine: The article does not describe a failure due to the system behaving erroneously with inconsistent responses and interactions.
(f) other: The other behavior described in the article is the system's vulnerability to cyberattacks due to outdated software and lack of security updates, making it a prime target for hackers [Article 89534]. |