| Recurring |
one_organization, multiple_organization |
(a) The software failure incident related to the exploitation of the T2 chip vulnerability in Macs has happened again within the same organization, Apple. The Checkm8 vulnerability that allowed jailbreaking of older models of iPhones has now been exploited to bypass the T2 security chip in Macs, creating new potential threats [105963].
(b) The incident of exploiting the T2 chip vulnerability in Macs is not limited to Apple alone. The Checkra1n group, which developed the tool for iOS jailbreaking, has now released support for T2 bypass on Macs as well. Additionally, a T2 vulnerability was publicly disclosed by the Chinese security research and jailbreaking group Pangu Team, indicating that similar incidents have occurred or are being discovered in other organizations or by other research groups [105963]. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design, operation |
(a) The software failure incident related to the design phase is evident in the article. The vulnerability in the T2 chip, known as Checkm8, was exploited by jailbreakers to gain deep system access on Macs with T2 chips. This flaw was present in the low-level, unchangeable code for hardware, making it unfixable in every Mac that has a T2 chip inside [105963].
(b) The software failure incident related to the operation phase is also highlighted in the article. The Checkra1n tool, developed by the same group that created the tool for iOS, allows attackers to disable macOS security features like System Integrity Protection and Secure Boot, and potentially install malware on compromised devices. However, the tool requires physical access to target devices over USB, and the compromise is not persistent, ending when the T2 chip is rebooted [105963]. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system |
(a) The software failure incident described in the article is within the system. The vulnerability in the T2 chip, known as Checkm8, allows for deep system access and bypassing of Apple's security mechanisms [105963]. This flaw originates from within the system itself, making it unfixable in every Mac that has a T2 chip inside. Additionally, the jailbreak tool developed by the Checkra1n group exploits this vulnerability to disable macOS security features and potentially install malware, highlighting the internal nature of the software failure incident. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions, human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident in this case is primarily due to non-human actions, specifically a vulnerability in the T2 chip that is unfixable in every Mac that has a T2 inside. The flaw, known as Checkm8, allows for deep system access and bypassing of Apple's security mechanisms [105963].
(b) However, human actions also play a role in this incident as the jailbreak tool developed by the Checkra1n group is being used to exploit the vulnerability in the T2 chip. This tool can be used by malicious hackers to disable macOS security features and install malware, highlighting the potential harm that can be caused by human actions in exploiting software vulnerabilities [105963]. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
hardware, software |
(a) The software failure incident reported in the article is related to hardware. The vulnerability in the T2 chip, which is a hardware component in Macs, allows for deep system access and bypassing of security features. The flaw in the T2 chip, known as Checkm8, is unfixable as it is in low-level, unchangeable code for hardware. The T2 chip was supposed to provide extra security features like encrypted data storage, Touch ID, and Activation Lock, but the vulnerability undermines these security measures [105963].
(b) The software failure incident is also related to software. The Checkra1n tool developed by the Checkra1n group allows for the exploitation of the T2 chip vulnerability to bypass macOS security features like System Integrity Protection and Secure Boot, and potentially install malware. The tool can be used to run Linux on the T2 chip or play Doom on a MacBook Pro's Touch Bar. The jailbreak tool itself is a software exploit that takes advantage of the vulnerability in the T2 chip [105963]. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
malicious |
(a) The software failure incident described in the article is malicious in nature. The incident involves the exploitation of a vulnerability in Apple's T2 security chip by a group of researchers to develop a tool that allows for jailbreaking Mac devices. This tool can be used by malicious hackers to disable macOS security features, install malware, obtain encryption keys, and decrypt user data [105963]. The exploit undermines a crucial security feature of newer Macs and raises concerns about potential insider threats and device theft [105963].
(b) The incident is not non-malicious as it involves intentional exploitation of vulnerabilities in the T2 chip for unauthorized access and potential harm to the system and user data. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
poor_decisions |
The software failure incident described in the article is related to poor decisions made by Apple in implementing the T2 chip's security features. The vulnerability in the T2 chip, known as Checkm8, was exploited by jailbreakers, leading to the bypass of security mechanisms like System Integrity Protection and Secure Boot [105963]. This vulnerability was unfixable in every Mac that has a T2 chip inside, highlighting a poor decision in the design and implementation of the chip's security features. Additionally, the article mentions that the T2 chip was supposed to provide extra security but is now considered moot due to the exploit, indicating a failure in the initial decision-making process regarding the chip's security [105963]. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
accidental |
(a) The software failure incident in the article is not related to development incompetence. The vulnerability in the T2 chip that allowed for the jailbreak was a result of a flaw in low-level, unchangeable code for hardware, making it unfixable in every Mac that has a T2 inside [105963].
(b) The software failure incident in the article is more aligned with an accidental failure. The vulnerability in the T2 chip that allowed for the jailbreak was not intentionally created by the developers but was discovered and exploited by researchers, leading to potential threats and security risks [105963]. |
| Duration |
permanent |
The software failure incident described in the article is more of a permanent nature. The vulnerability in the T2 chip, known as Checkm8, is unfixable in every Mac that has a T2 inside [105963]. The flaw is in low-level, unchangeable code for hardware, making it ultimately unfixable [105963]. Additionally, the T2 chip was supposed to provide extra security but is now considered moot due to the exploit [105963]. The Checkra1n jailbreak tool allows researchers to probe the T2 chip and explore its security features, indicating a long-term vulnerability [105963]. |
| Behaviour |
other |
(a) crash: The software failure incident described in the article does not involve a crash where the system loses state and does not perform any of its intended functions. The incident is related to a vulnerability in Apple's T2 security chip that allows for deep system access and potential exploitation by hackers [Article 105963].
(b) omission: The software failure incident does not involve a failure due to the system omitting to perform its intended functions at an instance(s). Instead, the incident revolves around a vulnerability in the T2 chip that can be exploited to bypass security features and gain unauthorized access to the system [Article 105963].
(c) timing: The software failure incident is not related to a failure due to the system performing its intended functions correctly but too late or too early. The focus is on the vulnerability in the T2 chip that can be exploited by malicious actors to disable security features and potentially install malware on Mac devices [Article 105963].
(d) value: The software failure incident does not involve a failure due to the system performing its intended functions incorrectly. The issue lies in the vulnerability of the T2 chip that allows for unauthorized access and potential security breaches on Mac devices [Article 105963].
(e) byzantine: The software failure incident does not exhibit a byzantine behavior where the system behaves erroneously with inconsistent responses and interactions. The primary concern is the exploitability of the T2 chip that could lead to compromising the security features of Mac devices [Article 105963].
(f) other: The behavior of the software failure incident can be categorized as a security vulnerability that allows for unauthorized access and potential exploitation of the T2 chip in Mac devices. This vulnerability poses a significant threat to the security and integrity of the affected systems [Article 105963]. |