| Recurring |
one_organization, multiple_organization |
(a) The software failure incident related to default passwords and security vulnerabilities in GPS trackers from Shenzhen i365 Tech is an example of a recurring issue within the same organization. The article mentions that the default password "123456" is a common flaw across nearly 30 other models in the company's lineup, indicating a pattern of poor security practices within the organization [Article 89928].
(b) Additionally, the article highlights that default passwords are a common flaw for connected gadgets in general, not just limited to Shenzhen i365 Tech. Lawmakers are concerned about the weak security standards of IoT devices, and California even passed a law prohibiting IoT devices from having default passwords. This suggests that similar incidents have occurred with other organizations and their products, indicating a broader industry problem with default passwords and security vulnerabilities in IoT devices [Article 89928]. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design, operation |
(a) The software failure incident related to the design phase is evident in the case of the Chinese-made GPS trackers from Shenzhen i365 Tech. The devices were shipped with a default password "123456," which was the same for nearly 30 other models in the company's lineup. This design flaw allowed hackers to easily access people's real-time location data once they figured out the default password. The default password being easily guessable and not unique to each device highlights a significant vulnerability introduced during the system development phase [89928].
(b) The software failure incident related to the operation phase is seen in the unencrypted nature of all requests from the GPS tracker's apps. This lack of encryption meant that anyone on the same Wi-Fi network could take control of the device, potentially hijacking the tracker's microphone and eavesdropping on conversations. Additionally, sensitive data, including location coordinates, was sent to online servers without encryption, further exposing user data to potential threats. These operational vulnerabilities were introduced by the way the system was operated and maintained, making it susceptible to misuse and exploitation [89928]. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system |
(a) The software failure incident related to the Chinese-made GPS trackers from Shenzhen i365 Tech can be categorized as within_system. The failure was primarily due to the default password "123456" being set for the GPS trackers, which extended to nearly 30 other models in the company's lineup. This default password vulnerability allowed hackers to gain complete access to people's real-time location data once they figured out the password [Article 89928].
Additionally, the unencrypted nature of all requests from the GPS tracker's apps and the sensitive data being sent to online servers without encryption were internal system vulnerabilities that further contributed to the software failure incident [Article 89928]. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions, human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident occurring due to non-human actions:
The software failure incident in this case is primarily due to non-human actions, specifically the dangerous vulnerabilities present in the Chinese-made GPS trackers manufactured by Shenzhen i365 Tech. These vulnerabilities include the usage of a default password "123456" across multiple models, unencrypted requests from the tracker's apps, and the exposure of sensitive data during transmission to online servers. These flaws were identified by security researchers from Avast, highlighting the inherent security weaknesses in the IoT devices [Article 89928].
(b) The software failure incident occurring due to human actions:
The software failure incident can also be attributed to human actions, particularly the decisions made by the manufacturer, Shenzhen i365 Tech. Despite being aware of the critical security issues in their GPS trackers, the company did not respond to warnings from Avast and failed to address the vulnerabilities in a timely manner. This lack of response and action on the part of the manufacturer contributed to the continuation of the security flaws in the devices, ultimately leading to the software failure incident [Article 89928]. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
hardware, software |
(a) The software failure incident reported in the articles is primarily due to hardware-related issues. The Chinese-made GPS trackers from Shenzhen i365 Tech were found to have dangerous vulnerabilities, such as having "123456" as their default password across multiple models. This hardware-related flaw in the design and implementation of the GPS trackers' security features allowed hackers to gain complete access to people's real-time location data [Article 89928].
(b) The software failure incident also has software-related aspects. The default password vulnerability, unencrypted requests from the GPS tracker's apps, and the lack of encryption for sensitive data being sent to online servers are all software-related weaknesses that contributed to the security flaws in the GPS trackers. These software vulnerabilities allowed potential hackers to exploit the devices and compromise user data [Article 89928]. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
malicious |
(a) The software failure incident in this case is malicious. Security researchers discovered dangerous vulnerabilities in Chinese-made GPS trackers from Shenzhen i365 Tech, including the use of the default password "123456" across multiple models [Article 89928]. Hackers could exploit this flaw to gain complete access to people's real-time location data, potentially compromising the safety and privacy of individuals using these devices. Additionally, the unencrypted nature of the tracker's app requests could allow unauthorized individuals to take control of the device, such as hijacking the microphone to eavesdrop on conversations [Article 89928]. Despite attempts by Avast to notify Shenzhen i365 Tech about these critical security issues, the manufacturer did not respond, prompting a public service announcement advising consumers to discontinue the use of these vulnerable devices [Article 89928]. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
poor_decisions |
(a) The software failure incident related to the Chinese-made GPS trackers from Shenzhen i365 Tech can be attributed to poor decisions made by the manufacturer. The default password "123456" being set for all devices and not being changed for nearly 30 other models in the company's lineup reflects a significant security flaw introduced by the manufacturer [Article 89928]. Additionally, the lack of response from Shenzhen i365 Tech to warnings about critical security issues despite being contacted by cybersecurity researchers multiple times further emphasizes the poor decisions made by the manufacturer in addressing these vulnerabilities. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
development_incompetence, accidental |
(a) The software failure incident in the article can be attributed to development incompetence. The Chinese-made GPS trackers from Shenzhen i365 Tech were found to have dangerous vulnerabilities, such as having the default password "123456" across nearly 30 models in the company's lineup [Article 89928]. This default password issue is a clear example of a security flaw introduced during the development process due to a lack of professional competence in ensuring proper security measures.
(b) Additionally, the incident can also be categorized as accidental. The default password issue, which posed a significant security risk, was not intended but was accidentally set as the default password for all the GPS trackers shipped by the company. This accidental introduction of a major vulnerability highlights the importance of thorough testing and security checks during the development process to prevent such incidents from occurring [Article 89928]. |
| Duration |
temporary |
The software failure incident described in the article is temporary. The default password "123456" for the Chinese-made GPS trackers from Shenzhen i365 Tech was a contributing factor to the vulnerability, but it was noted that the default password isn't permanent and can be changed by the user at the first time they unbox the device [Article 89928]. |
| Behaviour |
crash, omission, other |
(a) crash: The software failure incident in the article can be categorized as a crash. The GPS trackers from Shenzhen i365 Tech have a major security flaw with a default password of "123456," which allows hackers to gain complete access to people's real-time location data once they figure out the password. This vulnerability can lead to a system crash where the system loses its state and fails to perform its intended function of securely tracking individuals [Article 89928].
(b) omission: The software failure incident can also be categorized as an omission. Despite the default password being changeable by the user, the fact that the devices were all shipped with the same default password of "123456" can be seen as an omission in ensuring proper security measures were in place from the beginning. This omission led to the vulnerability that hackers could exploit to access sensitive location data [Article 89928].
(c) timing: The software failure incident does not align with a timing failure as the system is not described as performing its intended functions too late or too early. The focus is on the security vulnerability related to the default password and unencrypted data transmissions rather than timing issues [Article 89928].
(d) value: The software failure incident does not align with a value failure as the system is not described as performing its intended functions incorrectly. The main issue highlighted in the article is the security flaw related to the default password and unencrypted data transmissions, which could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive location data [Article 89928].
(e) byzantine: The software failure incident does not align with a byzantine failure as the system is not described as behaving erroneously with inconsistent responses and interactions. The main concern is the security vulnerability due to the default password and unencrypted data transmissions, which could compromise the privacy and security of individuals using the GPS trackers [Article 89928].
(f) other: The other behavior of the software failure incident is the exposure of sensitive data and the potential for unauthorized access to real-time location information. This behavior is a significant security risk that could have serious consequences for individuals using the GPS trackers, as hackers could exploit the default password vulnerability to track their movements and potentially eavesdrop on conversations through the device's microphone [Article 89928]. |