| Recurring |
one_organization |
(a) The software failure incident has happened again at one_organization:
The incident described in the article [109943] involved a sophisticated hacking operation that exploited vulnerabilities in Chrome and Windows to install malware on Android and Windows devices. The attackers used zero-day exploits and complex infrastructure, demonstrating above-average skill by a professional team of hackers. The exploit chains were designed for efficiency and flexibility through their modularity, showing a high level of sophistication. This incident showcases a recurring challenge for Google, Microsoft, and other organizations to continuously address and patch security vulnerabilities within their software products and services. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design, operation |
(a) The software failure incident detailed in the article was primarily due to vulnerabilities in Chrome and Windows that were exploited by hackers to install malware on Android and Windows devices. The hackers utilized zero-day exploits targeting vulnerabilities in Chrome and Windows systems, which were unknown to Google and Microsoft at the time [109943].
(b) The operation phase also played a significant role in the software failure incident as the hackers delivered the exploits through watering-hole attacks, compromising sites frequented by the targets of interest and injecting code that installed malware on visitors' devices. This operation phase involved the deployment of exploit servers for Windows and Android users, showcasing the operational aspect of the attack [109943]. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system |
(a) within_system: The software failure incident detailed in the article was primarily due to vulnerabilities within the Chrome and Windows systems that were exploited by hackers to install malware on Android and Windows devices. The hackers utilized zero-day exploits targeting vulnerabilities in Chrome and Windows, such as CVE-2020-6418, CVE-2020-0938, CVE-2020-1020, and CVE-2020-1027. These vulnerabilities were within the systems and were unknown to Google, Microsoft, and most outside researchers at the time [109943]. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions, human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident detailed in the article was primarily due to non-human actions, specifically exploiting vulnerabilities in Chrome and Windows to install malware on Android and Windows devices. The hackers utilized zero-day exploits targeting vulnerabilities that were unknown to Google, Microsoft, and most outside researchers at the time [109943].
(b) The failure was also influenced by human actions as the hackers behind the sophisticated hacking operation deliberately crafted and executed the attack by chaining together multiple exploits in an efficient manner, demonstrating above-average skill and sophistication by a professional team of hackers [109943]. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
software |
(a) The software failure incident detailed in the article was primarily due to vulnerabilities in software, specifically in Chrome and Windows, which were exploited by hackers to install malware on Android and Windows devices [109943]. The hackers utilized zero-day exploits targeting vulnerabilities in Chrome and Windows, such as CVE-2020-6418, CVE-2020-0938, CVE-2020-1020, and CVE-2020-1027. These vulnerabilities were used to achieve remote code execution on the targeted devices. Additionally, the attackers employed sophisticated techniques and infrastructure to carry out the attack, indicating a high level of skill and planning on the part of the hackers.
(b) The software failure incident can also be attributed to software-related factors, such as the presence of vulnerabilities in Chrome and Windows that were exploited by the hackers to deliver malware to the targeted devices. The exploit chains used in the attack were described as well-engineered, complex code with novel exploitation methods, mature logging, and sophisticated post-exploitation techniques. The attackers demonstrated expertise in developing exploit chains that were efficient, flexible, and difficult to analyze. The use of zero-day exploits and the modularity of the payloads further highlight the software-related aspects of the failure incident. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
malicious |
(a) The software failure incident detailed in the article is malicious in nature. Google researchers uncovered a sophisticated hacking operation that exploited vulnerabilities in Chrome and Windows to install malware on Android and Windows devices. The hackers used zero-day exploits targeting unknown vulnerabilities to deliver malware through watering-hole attacks, compromising sites frequented by the targets of interest [109943]. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
|
The intent of the software failure incident detailed in the article is related to a sophisticated hacking operation that exploited vulnerabilities in Chrome and Windows to install malware on Android and Windows devices [109943]. This incident does not align with poor_decisions or accidental_decisions but rather with a deliberate and well-planned cyber attack by a highly sophisticated actor. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
unknown |
(a) The software failure incident detailed in the article was not due to development incompetence but rather was a result of a highly sophisticated hacking operation that exploited vulnerabilities in Chrome and Windows to install malware on Android and Windows devices [109943].
(b) The incident was not accidental but rather a deliberate and well-planned attack by a professional team of hackers who utilized zero-day exploits and complex infrastructure to carry out the campaign [109943]. |
| Duration |
temporary |
(a) The software failure incident described in the articles is more of a temporary nature rather than permanent. The incident involved a sophisticated hacking operation that exploited vulnerabilities in Chrome and Windows to install malware on Android and Windows devices. The hackers utilized zero-day exploits and complex infrastructure to carry out the attack, demonstrating above-average skill by a professional team of hackers [109943]. The vulnerabilities exploited in the incident were subsequently patched by Google and Microsoft, indicating that the specific contributing factors that led to the failure were addressed and mitigated, making the incident temporary in nature. |
| Behaviour |
crash, omission, value, byzantine |
(a) crash: The software failure incident described in the article involved the exploitation of vulnerabilities in Chrome and Windows to install malware on Android and Windows devices. The attackers used zero-day exploits and complex infrastructure to carry out the attack, demonstrating a high level of sophistication. The attackers exploited vulnerabilities in Chrome and Windows to achieve remote code execution, indicating a system crash where the software lost control and allowed unauthorized code execution [109943].
(b) omission: The attackers delivered the exploits through watering-hole attacks, compromising sites frequented by the targets of interest and installing malware on visitors' devices. This indicates a failure of the system to prevent unauthorized access and protect users from malicious code, resulting in the omission of its intended function to provide secure browsing [109943].
(c) timing: The attackers used exploit chains that were designed for efficiency and flexibility through modularity. The attack code chained together multiple exploits in an efficient manner, demonstrating a calculated and well-timed approach to compromising the targeted systems. This indicates that the attackers timed their actions strategically to maximize the impact of the attack [109943].
(d) value: The attackers exploited vulnerabilities in Chrome and Windows to install malware on Android and Windows devices. By exploiting these vulnerabilities, the attackers were able to achieve remote code execution and compromise the security of the targeted systems. This indicates a failure of the software to perform its intended functions correctly, leading to unauthorized access and control by malicious actors [109943].
(e) byzantine: The attackers demonstrated a high level of sophistication in their attack by using exploit chains that included novel exploitation methods, mature logging, sophisticated post-exploitation techniques, and high volumes of anti-analysis and targeting checks. This complex and calculated approach to the attack resulted in inconsistent responses and interactions with the targeted systems, showcasing a byzantine behavior where the system exhibited erratic and unpredictable responses to the attack [109943].
(f) other: The software failure incident described in the article also involved the use of zero-day exploits against Windows users, indicating a highly targeted and strategic attack. The attackers did not exploit zero-days targeting Android devices, but it was suggested that they likely had Android zero-days at their disposal. This behavior showcases a targeted and selective approach by the attackers, focusing on specific vulnerabilities and platforms to achieve their malicious goals [109943]. |