| Recurring |
multiple_organization |
(a) The software failure incident related to the SigRed vulnerability in Windows DNS is a critical issue that has affected multiple organizations. The vulnerability has existed in Windows DNS since 2003, making practically every version of the software vulnerable [102489]. This incident highlights the importance of organizations, especially smaller ones commonly running Windows DNS, to rush to patch the SigRed bug to prevent potential exploitation [102489].
(b) The SigRed vulnerability in Windows DNS has primarily impacted smaller organizations that commonly run Windows DNS, as larger organizations often use the BIND implementation of DNS on Linux servers [102489]. However, the potential architectural changes made to networks due to the Covid-19 pandemic, such as more exposed Windows DNS servers, could lead to a broader impact on organizations [102489]. The threat landscape of internet-exposed things has risen dramatically in recent months, increasing the risk of exploitation of the SigRed vulnerability across various organizations [102489]. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design, operation |
(a) The software failure incident described in the article is related to the design phase. The vulnerability named SigRed was discovered in Microsoft's implementation of the domain name system protocol, which is a fundamental building block of the internet. The bug exploited Windows DNS, a popular DNS software, and had existed in the software for 17 years. The flaw was critical and rated 10 out of 10 on the common vulnerability scoring system. The incident highlights a failure due to contributing factors introduced during system development and updates [102489].
(b) The software failure incident also has implications for the operation phase. While the target DNS server would have to be exposed directly to the internet for a remote, no-interaction attack, it was pointed out that a hacker could trigger the same DNS server takeover by gaining access to the local network through corporate Wi-Fi or LAN. Additionally, the vulnerability could potentially be exploited with just a link in a phishing email, indicating a failure due to contributing factors introduced by the operation or misuse of the system [102489]. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system |
(a) The software failure incident described in the article is within_system. The vulnerability named SigRed was found in Microsoft's implementation of the domain name system protocol, specifically in the Windows DNS software that translates domain names into IP addresses. This vulnerability has existed in the software for 17 years, indicating an internal flaw within the system itself [102489].
(b) The article does not mention any contributing factors originating from outside the system that led to the software failure incident. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions, human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident in Article 102489 occurred due to non-human actions. The vulnerability named SigRed in Microsoft's implementation of the domain name system protocol was discovered by Israeli security firm Check Point. This vulnerability, existing for 17 years, allowed attackers to exploit Windows DNS servers without any action on the part of the target user, creating a seamless and powerful attack [102489].
(b) The software failure incident in Article 102489 also involved human actions. The vulnerability could be exploited by hackers through various means, including accessing the corporate Wi-Fi, plugging a computer into the corporate LAN, or sending a phishing email with a malicious link. These actions by hackers could trigger the vulnerability and potentially lead to a full takeover of the target DNS server [102489]. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
hardware, software |
(a) The software failure incident reported in Article 102489 is related to a vulnerability in Microsoft's implementation of the domain name system protocol, specifically in Windows DNS software. This vulnerability, named SigRed, has existed in the software for 17 years and allows attackers to gain full remote code execution on the target server by exploiting a certain piece of data handling in the DNSSEC key exchange process. This vulnerability is a hardware-related failure as it originates in the hardware infrastructure running the Windows DNS servers [102489].
(b) The software failure incident in Article 102489 is primarily due to contributing factors that originate in software. The SigRed bug is a critical vulnerability in the Windows DNS software that allows for remote code execution and potential full control of the target server. The bug exploits a flaw in the software's handling of a specific piece of data related to DNSSEC key exchange, enabling attackers to overwrite memory and execute malicious code. This software vulnerability has significant implications for the security of Windows DNS servers and the networks they operate in [102489]. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
malicious |
(a) The software failure incident described in the article is malicious in nature. The incident involves a critical vulnerability named SigRed discovered by Check Point in Microsoft's implementation of the domain name system protocol. This vulnerability allows for remote code execution on the target server, potentially leading to full control of the system by an attacker. The article highlights that the flaw is wormable, meaning an attack can spread from one machine to another with no human interaction, and it has a severity rating of 10 out of 10 on the common vulnerability scoring system. The article also mentions the potential for targeted attacks by well-funded adversaries exploiting this vulnerability [102489].
(b) The incident is non-malicious in the sense that it is not caused by accidental or unintentional factors. The vulnerability exploited in the Windows DNS software has existed for 17 years, indicating a long-standing issue rather than a recent mistake or oversight. However, the exploitation of this vulnerability is intentional and aimed at gaining unauthorized access and control over systems, making it a malicious software failure incident [102489]. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
accidental_decisions |
Accidental_decisions: The software failure incident related to the SigRed vulnerability in Windows DNS was not due to poor decisions but rather due to a long-standing bug that existed in the software for 17 years. The vulnerability was discovered by Israeli security firm Check Point, and it was a critical flaw with a severity rating of 10 out of 10 on the common vulnerability scoring system. The incident was not a result of poor decisions but rather a long-standing issue in the software that was exploited by hackers [102489]. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
accidental |
(a) The software failure incident described in the article is not related to development incompetence. The vulnerability named SigRed in Microsoft's implementation of the domain name system protocol was discovered by Israeli security firm Check Point after existing in the software for 17 years. The severity of the flaw was rated 10 out of 10 on the common vulnerability scoring system, indicating a critical issue that could lead to remote code execution on the target server [102489].
(b) The software failure incident related to the SigRed vulnerability in Windows DNS was accidental in nature. The vulnerability was not intentionally introduced but was a result of a flaw in the software that allowed hackers to exploit a certain piece of data in the key exchange process, ultimately gaining full remote code execution on the target server. The accidental nature of the vulnerability is evident from the fact that it went undetected for 17 years until it was discovered by Check Point researchers [102489]. |
| Duration |
temporary |
The software failure incident described in the article [102489] is temporary. The vulnerability named SigRed in Microsoft's implementation of the domain name system protocol has been present for 17 years but was discovered and patched by Microsoft in response to the findings by Check Point. The incident is temporary in the sense that the vulnerability existed due to certain circumstances (implementation flaw) but was not a permanent failure as it was addressed through a software update. |
| Behaviour |
crash, value, other |
(a) crash: The software failure incident described in the article involves a crash scenario where the Windows DNS server can be crashed or hijacked due to the SigRed vulnerability. The vulnerability allows a hacker to overwrite chunks of memory they're not meant to have access to, ultimately gaining full remote code execution on the target server, leading to a crash or takeover of the DNS server [102489].
(b) omission: The article does not mention any specific instances of omission as part of the software failure incident.
(c) timing: The software failure incident does not involve timing issues where the system performs its intended functions too late or too early.
(d) value: The software failure incident falls under the category of performing its intended functions incorrectly due to the SigRed vulnerability in Windows DNS, allowing for unauthorized access and control of the DNS server [102489].
(e) byzantine: The software failure incident does not exhibit byzantine behavior with inconsistent responses and interactions.
(f) other: The other behavior exhibited in this software failure incident is the potential for the vulnerability to be exploited in targeted attacks rather than spreading as a worm due to the nature of the SigRed bug. This behavior is described as more likely to be exploited in a targeted manner rather than through a widespread worm attack [102489]. |