| Recurring |
multiple_organization |
(a) The software failure incident related to the Masque attack on iOS devices has similarities to a previous iOS bug known as WireLurker. Both attacks involve exploiting vulnerabilities in iOS to install malicious apps on iPhones or iPads. The Masque attack, discovered by security researchers FireEye, is described as an application of the same principle used in the WireLurker attack but on a much grander scale [31934].
(b) The article mentions that the Masque attack can be seen as a more advanced version of the WireLurker attack and poses bigger threats. While WireLurker utilized a limited form of Masque attacks to target iOS devices through USB, Masque attacks can replace authentic apps with malware through the internet, potentially affecting multiple organizations or users beyond a specific target [31934]. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design, operation |
(a) The software failure incident related to the design phase is evident in the vulnerability named "Masque" discovered by security researchers FireEye. This vulnerability allows hackers to replace authentic apps with malware through the internet, posing significant threats to users' personal information and data security [31934].
(b) The software failure incident related to the operation phase is highlighted by the fact that users must be tricked into clicking a link in a text or email and accepting a prompt to install an app for the attack to be successful. This indicates that the failure is partly due to the operation or misuse of the system by users who inadvertently install malicious apps [31934]. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system |
(a) The software failure incident described in the article is within_system. The vulnerability exploited by the Masque attack is a weakness within the iOS operating system that allows malicious apps to replace authentic apps on iPhones and iPads [31934]. This vulnerability is not caused by external factors but rather by a flaw in the iOS system itself, making it a within_system failure. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions, human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident in the article was primarily due to non-human actions. The vulnerability named "Masque" discovered by security researchers FireEye allowed hackers to exploit weaknesses in newer versions of iOS to install malicious apps on iPhones or iPads through tricking users into clicking on a link in a text or email and accepting a prompt to install an app. This vulnerability allowed for the replacement of authentic apps with malware, posing significant risks to users' personal information and data security [31934].
(b) Human actions also played a role in this software failure incident as users needed to be tricked into clicking on the malicious links in texts or emails and accepting the prompt to install the app. Additionally, the attackers would need to obtain an enterprise provisioning profile or steal one to carry out the attack, which involves human actions [31934]. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
hardware, software |
(a) The software failure incident related to hardware:
- The software vulnerability named "Masque" discovered by security researchers FireEye takes advantage of similar enterprise-focused tools to Wirelurker, a previous iOS bug that let an attacker use a compromised Mac to install software on an iPhone [31934].
- Masque attacks can pose much bigger threats than WireLurker and can replace authentic apps, such as banking and email apps, using attacker’s malware through the internet [31934].
(b) The software failure incident related to software:
- The vulnerability exploited by the Masque attack is a weakness in newer versions of iOS that allows hackers to install apps on iPhones or iPads by sending users an email or text message [31934].
- Masque uses a vulnerability that lets an iOS app with the same file name replace a real one, regardless of developer, indicating a software-related flaw [31934]. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
malicious |
(a) The software failure incident described in the article is malicious in nature. It involves a vulnerability named "Masque" discovered by security researchers FireEye that allows hackers to install apps on iPhones or iPads by tricking users into clicking a link in a text or email and accepting a prompt to install an app. This attack can be used to steal personal information, eavesdrop on communications, track the user's physical location, and even replace authentic apps like banking and email apps with malware. The attackers can access the original app's local data, including cached emails and login tokens, to directly log into the user's account. The article highlights that this vulnerability poses significant risks and can be employed as a "spear phishing" attack aimed at stealing personal data [31934].
(b) The software failure incident is non-malicious in the sense that it is a result of a vulnerability in the iOS system that allows for the installation of apps from third-party sources other than the official App Store or the user's own company. Users can avoid infection by not installing apps from these sources, but the flaw still poses risks if users can be tricked into accepting the installation. The article mentions that there are mitigating factors to protect users, such as the need for an attacker to obtain an enterprise provisioning profile or steal one, and the presence of a warning to the user during the installation process. As long as the user selects "don't install," they will be protected from this vulnerability [31934]. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
unknown |
(a) The intent of the software failure incident was not due to poor decisions but rather due to the exploitation of vulnerabilities in the iOS system by hackers. The incident involved a sophisticated attack named "Masque" discovered by security researchers FireEye. The attack aimed to steal personal information, eavesdrop on communications, and potentially track users' physical locations through iPhones and iPads. The attack took advantage of a vulnerability that allowed malicious apps to replace authentic apps, such as banking and email apps, posing significant threats to users' data security [31934].
(b) The software failure incident was not a result of accidental decisions but rather a deliberate and targeted attack by hackers to exploit weaknesses in the iOS system. The attack required users to be tricked into clicking a link in a text or email and accepting a prompt to install an app, showcasing a calculated approach by the attackers to deceive users and compromise their devices [31934]. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
development_incompetence |
(a) The software failure incident related to development incompetence is evident in the article as it discusses a vulnerability in newer versions of iOS that allows hackers to install apps on iPhones or iPads by tricking users into clicking a link in a text or email and accepting a prompt to install an app. This vulnerability, named "Masque," takes advantage of a flaw that lets an iOS app with the same file name replace a real one, regardless of the developer. Users might unknowingly download malicious apps that replace legitimate ones, such as banking or email apps, leading to potential theft of sensitive information like banking credentials [31934].
(b) The software failure incident related to accidental factors is also present in the article as it describes how users can avoid infection by not installing apps from third-party sources other than the official App Store or their own company. However, the existence of the vulnerability still poses risks if users can be tricked into accepting the installation anyway, indicating that accidental actions by users could lead to the exploitation of the flaw [31934]. |
| Duration |
temporary |
The software failure incident described in the article is more likely to be temporary rather than permanent. The vulnerability exploited by the "Masque" attack is a specific flaw in newer versions of iOS that allows hackers to trick users into installing malicious apps by exploiting a particular weakness in the system. This vulnerability is not a fundamental flaw in the design of the iOS operating system but rather a specific exploit that can be mitigated by user awareness and caution. Additionally, the article mentions mitigating factors that can protect users from the attack, indicating that the issue is not a permanent, unfixable flaw in the software [31934]. |
| Behaviour |
value, other |
(a) crash: The software failure incident described in the article does not involve a crash where the system loses state and stops performing its intended functions. Instead, it focuses on a vulnerability that allows hackers to install malicious apps on iOS devices [31934].
(b) omission: The incident does not involve the system omitting to perform its intended functions at an instance(s). It is more about exploiting a vulnerability to trick users into installing malicious apps on their devices [31934].
(c) timing: The failure is not related to the system performing its intended functions too late or too early. It is more about the system being manipulated to install unauthorized apps on iOS devices [31934].
(d) value: The software failure incident is related to the system performing its intended functions incorrectly. Specifically, the vulnerability allows for the installation of malicious apps that can replace authentic apps and steal sensitive information from users [31934].
(e) byzantine: The incident does not involve the system behaving with inconsistent responses and interactions, which would fall under the byzantine behavior category. Instead, it is about exploiting a specific vulnerability to carry out malicious activities on iOS devices [31934].
(f) other: The behavior of the software failure incident can be categorized as a security vulnerability exploit. It involves tricking users into installing malicious apps that can replace authentic apps and potentially steal sensitive information. This behavior is not a typical system failure but rather a security flaw that is being exploited by attackers [31934]. |