| Recurring |
one_organization, multiple_organization |
<Article 103826> reports a software failure incident related to August smart locks. The vulnerability discovered in the August Smart Lock Pro and Connect module allowed hackers to access Wi-Fi network credentials during setup. This incident highlights a security flaw in the August smart lock system, specifically affecting older models paired with an August Connect module. The vulnerability was identified by PCMag and Bitdefender, indicating a potential breach in security protocols [103826].
Regarding the incident happening again at one_organization, the article mentions that August was notified of the vulnerability in late 2019 but as of the article's publication in August 2020, there were no updates to patch or solve the issue. This lack of prompt action to address the vulnerability raises concerns about the organization's response to security threats within its products [103826].
In terms of the incident happening again at multiple_organization, the article notes that security issues in Wi-Fi devices are not uncommon in the smart home era. This suggests that similar vulnerabilities or security lapses may exist in products from other organizations operating in the smart home industry. The fact that August was actively working to resolve the issue and release security updates indicates that such incidents may not be unique to a single organization [103826]. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design, operation |
(a) The software failure incident in the article is related to the design phase. The vulnerability in the August Smart Lock Pro and Connect module was discovered during the setup process, where the August Connect creates an open access point on the Wi-Fi network to pass network credentials to the phone. This design flaw allowed a hacker to intercept Wi-Fi passwords due to the encryption method being easily cracked [103826].
(b) The software failure incident is also related to the operation phase. The vulnerability could be exploited during the setup of the August Smart Lock and Connect module, potentially allowing a hacker to force setup and credential reentry on demand. This indicates that the failure was due to factors introduced by the operation or misuse of the system [103826]. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system |
(a) within_system: The software failure incident related to the August Smart Lock vulnerability was primarily due to factors originating from within the system. The vulnerability allowed a hacker to access Wi-Fi network credentials during the setup process of the August Smart Lock Pro and Connect module [103826]. The issue stemmed from the encryption method used by August, which was a simple cipher called ROT-13, making it easy for a hacker to intercept Wi-Fi passwords through the smartphone's encryption method [103826]. August acknowledged the vulnerability and mentioned that security updates were in production for both the firmware in the device and the Android app to address the issue [103826].
(b) outside_system: The software failure incident was not primarily due to factors originating from outside the system. The vulnerability was related to the setup process of the August Smart Lock and Connect module, where a hacker could exploit the encryption method used by August to access Wi-Fi network credentials [103826]. The vulnerability was specific to users on an Android device for the August app, highlighting the importance of the security measures implemented by different mobile platforms [103826]. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions, human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident in this case is primarily due to non-human actions. The vulnerability in the August Smart Lock Pro and Connect module was discovered during a test conducted by PCMag and Bitdefender, where they found a concerning vulnerability that allowed a hacker to access Wi-Fi network credentials without human participation [103826].
(b) However, human actions also played a role in this software failure incident. The encryption used by August was a simple cipher called ROT-13, which is a human-designed encryption method that can be easily decoded. Additionally, the vulnerability was specific to users on an Android device for the August app, highlighting the role of human actions in the setup process and the choice of encryption method [103826]. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
hardware, software |
(a) The software failure incident related to hardware:
- The vulnerability in the August Smart Lock Pro and Connect module was due to a flaw in the hardware setup process involving the August Connect module creating an open access point on the Wi-Fi network during setup, making network credentials vulnerable to interception by a hacker [103826].
(b) The software failure incident related to software:
- The software failure incident was primarily caused by a software vulnerability in the encryption method used by August, specifically the use of a simple cipher called ROT-13 to encrypt the key holding network information. This encryption method was easily decoded, allowing a hacker to intercept Wi-Fi passwords during the setup process of the August Smart Lock and Connect module [103826]. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
malicious |
(a) The software failure incident described in the article is malicious in nature. The vulnerability discovered in the August Smart Lock Pro and Connect module allowed a hacker to access Wi-Fi network credentials, potentially leading to unauthorized access and harm to the home network [Article 103826]. The encryption used by August was found to be weak and easily decoded, making it susceptible to snooping hackers during the setup process. The vulnerability was identified by security researchers from PCMag and Bitdefender, highlighting the intentional exploitation of the system for unauthorized access [Article 103826]. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
accidental_decisions |
(a) The intent of the software failure incident was not due to poor decisions but rather due to a vulnerability in the encryption method used by August Smart Locks. The vulnerability allowed hackers to access Wi-Fi network credentials during the setup process, particularly affecting older models paired with an August Connect module. The encryption used by August was a simple cipher called ROT-13, making it easy for hackers to intercept Wi-Fi passwords during setup [103826]. The incident was not a result of poor decisions but rather a flaw in the encryption method used by the software. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
development_incompetence, accidental |
(a) The software failure incident in the article can be attributed to development incompetence. The vulnerability in the August Smart Lock Pro and Connect module was due to a concerning flaw in the encryption method used by August, which was a hard-coded key using a simple cipher called ROT-13. This encryption method was easily decoded, allowing a hacker to intercept Wi-Fi passwords during setup [103826].
(b) Additionally, the incident can also be categorized as accidental. The vulnerability was not intentionally created but was a result of the encryption method chosen by the development team, which turned out to be easily crackable. The vulnerability was not a deliberate act but rather a consequence of the encryption implementation [103826]. |
| Duration |
temporary |
The software failure incident described in the article is temporary. The vulnerability in the August Smart Lock Pro and Connect module was identified during setup, allowing a hacker to access Wi-Fi network credentials. August responded by actively working to resolve the issue, with security updates in production for both the firmware in the device and the Android app [103826]. Additionally, August clarified that the vulnerability is not valid on iOS devices, and there are specific circumstances and an extremely narrow window of time where the vulnerability is valid, emphasizing that once the Connect is set up, it is no longer vulnerable [103826]. |
| Behaviour |
other |
(a) crash: The software failure incident in the article does not involve a crash where the system loses state and does not perform any of its intended functions. The vulnerability discovered in the August Smart Lock Pro and Connect module does not lead to a complete system failure but rather exposes a security flaw during the setup process [103826].
(b) omission: The software failure incident does not involve the system omitting to perform its intended functions at an instance(s). Instead, the vulnerability allows a hacker to access Wi-Fi network credentials during the setup process, potentially compromising the security of the network [103826].
(c) timing: The software failure incident is not related to the system performing its intended functions correctly but at the wrong time. The vulnerability in the August Smart Lock Pro and Connect module exposes network credentials during the setup process, indicating a security flaw rather than a timing issue [103826].
(d) value: The software failure incident does not involve the system performing its intended functions incorrectly. The vulnerability discovered in the August Smart Lock Pro and Connect module does not lead to incorrect functioning of the smart lock but rather exposes a security loophole in the setup process [103826].
(e) byzantine: The software failure incident does not exhibit the system behaving erroneously with inconsistent responses and interactions. The vulnerability in the August Smart Lock Pro and Connect module is a specific security issue related to the encryption method used during the setup process, allowing potential interception of Wi-Fi passwords [103826].
(f) other: The behavior of the software failure incident can be categorized as a security vulnerability that exposes sensitive information (Wi-Fi network credentials) during the setup process of the August Smart Lock Pro and Connect module. This vulnerability is a result of weak encryption (ROT-13 cipher) used in the August app, which can be exploited by a hacker to access network information [103826]. |