| Recurring |
one_organization |
(a) The software failure incident related to a vulnerability in WhatsApp on Android allowing hackers to take control of the phone has happened again within the same organization. The article mentions that Facebook, the owner of WhatsApp, stated that they have released a security patch to fix the error and mentioned, "no tenemos razones para creer que usuarios fueron afectados por este fallo" (we have no reason to believe that users were affected by this flaw) [90781]. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design, operation |
(a) The software failure incident related to the design phase is evident in the WhatsApp vulnerability reported in Article 90781. The vulnerability in WhatsApp for Android was due to a serious error that allowed hackers to take control of the phone through manipulated GIF images containing malicious code. This flaw was discovered by a security analyst named Awakened, who demonstrated how the error worked [90781].
(b) The software failure incident related to the operation phase is highlighted by the fact that the vulnerability in WhatsApp for Android could allow hackers to access personal information, record videos or audio, read messages, or steal files from the victim's phone. This indicates a failure in the operation or use of the system, as users could unknowingly interact with malicious content leading to potential security breaches [90781]. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system |
(a) within_system: The software failure incident reported in Article 90781 is within the system. The vulnerability in WhatsApp installed on Android phones was due to an error in the application itself, specifically related to manipulated GIF images that could install malicious code allowing hackers to take control of the phone [90781]. The security flaw was discovered by a security analyst who demonstrated how the error worked [90781]. The solution provided involved updating the WhatsApp application to versions later than 2.19.244, indicating that the issue was internal to the application and could be addressed through software updates [90781]. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident in the article is related to non-human actions. The vulnerability in WhatsApp on Android was due to a serious error that allowed any hacker to take control of the phone. The vulnerability was specifically found in manipulated GIF images that contained malicious code, which could be used by an attacker to access personal information, record video or audio, read messages, or steal files from the victim's phone. The vulnerability was discovered by a security analyst known as Awakened, who demonstrated how the error worked [90781]. The article also mentions that Facebook, the owner of WhatsApp, released a security patch to address the error, indicating that the failure was not due to human actions but rather a flaw in the software itself. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
software |
(a) The software failure incident reported in Article 90781 is related to a vulnerability in the WhatsApp application installed on Android phones. The vulnerability allows a hacker to take control of the phone by exploiting manipulated GIF images containing malicious code. This indicates a software failure incident that is not directly related to hardware issues [90781]. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
malicious |
(a) The software failure incident reported in Article 90781 is malicious in nature. The vulnerability in WhatsApp installed on Android phones allowed hackers to take control of the device by exploiting manipulated GIF images containing malicious code. The hacker could potentially access personal information, record video or audio, read messages, and steal files from the victim's phone. The security flaw was discovered by a security analyst named Awakened, who demonstrated the exploit on Android versions 8.1 and 9.0. The incident involved intentional actions by hackers to compromise the system for malicious purposes [90781]. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
poor_decisions |
(a) The software failure incident related to the WhatsApp vulnerability on Android can be attributed to poor_decisions. The vulnerability was a result of a serious error in the WhatsApp installed on Android phones, which allowed hackers to take control of the device through manipulated GIF images containing malicious code. The vulnerability was discovered by a security analyst known as Awakened, who demonstrated the flaw on Android versions 8.1 and 9.0. The incident highlights a poor decision in the software development process that led to a critical security loophole [90781]. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
development_incompetence |
(a) The software failure incident related to development incompetence is evident in the WhatsApp vulnerability discovered on Android devices. The vulnerability was due to a serious error in the WhatsApp installed on Android phones, which allowed any hacker to take control of the device. The vulnerability was specifically related to manipulated GIF images that contained malicious code, enabling attackers to access personal information, record videos or audio, read messages, and steal files from the victim's phone. The security flaw was discovered by a security analyst known as Awakened, who demonstrated the error on Android versions 8.1 and 9.0. It was highlighted that the vulnerability did not affect Android 8.0 or lower versions, indicating a specific issue related to certain Android versions [90781].
(b) The software failure incident related to accidental factors is not explicitly mentioned in the provided article. |
| Duration |
temporary |
(a) The software failure incident reported in the article is temporary. The vulnerability in WhatsApp for Android, allowing hackers to take control of the phone through manipulated GIF images, is a specific issue that can be addressed by updating the application to versions later than 2.19.244 [90781]. The article provides detailed steps on how users can update their WhatsApp application to protect themselves from the security flaw, indicating that the failure is not permanent but can be mitigated by taking appropriate actions. |
| Behaviour |
value, other |
(a) crash: The software failure incident in the article is related to a vulnerability in WhatsApp installed on Android phones that allows a hacker to take control of the device. This vulnerability is triggered by maliciously manipulated GIF images that can install a code allowing the attacker to access personal information, record video or audio, read messages, or steal files from the phone. The incident does not involve the system losing state and not performing any of its intended functions; rather, it is about unauthorized access and control by a hacker [90781].
(b) omission: The software failure incident does not involve the system omitting to perform its intended functions at an instance(s) [90781].
(c) timing: The software failure incident does not involve the system performing its intended functions correctly, but too late or too early [90781].
(d) value: The software failure incident is related to the system performing its intended functions incorrectly, allowing a hacker to take control of the device and access personal information, record video or audio, read messages, or steal files from the phone [90781].
(e) byzantine: The software failure incident does not involve the system behaving erroneously with inconsistent responses and interactions [90781].
(f) other: The software failure incident involves a security vulnerability in WhatsApp for Android that allows a hacker to exploit manipulated GIF images to gain unauthorized access and control over the device, potentially compromising personal information and device functionality [90781]. |