| Recurring |
multiple_organization |
(a) The software failure incident related to the security breach in Mitsubishi Outlander hybrid cars has not happened again within the same organization as per the provided article [44856].
(b) However, the article mentions previous incidents of similar vulnerabilities in other car models such as the Jeep, Nissan Leaf, and Tesla Model S, indicating that similar incidents have occurred with products from other organizations [44856]. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design, operation |
(a) The software failure incident in the Mitsubishi Outlander hybrid cars was primarily due to design factors introduced during the development phase. Security researcher Ken Munro highlighted that the car's insecure software system was likely a result of cost-cutting by Mitsubishi, opting for a less secure wifi connection method instead of a more secure GSM/web service/mobile app based solution [44856]. This design choice made the car vulnerable to hacking, allowing remote control of various functions such as disabling the alarm system and draining the battery.
(b) Additionally, the software failure incident also had operational implications as users were advised to deactivate the wifi system in their Outlander cars until further notice [44856]. This recommendation indicates that the operation or use of the wifi system in the cars could potentially exacerbate the security vulnerability and lead to further exploitation by hackers. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system, outside_system |
(a) within_system: The software failure incident in the Mitsubishi Outlander hybrid cars was primarily due to contributing factors that originated from within the system. The vulnerability that allowed hackers to remotely turn off the car's alarm system, control the lights, and drain the battery was a result of the car's insecure software system, which was likely designed to cut costs by using wifi for direct car-to-smartphone communication instead of a more secure GSM/web service/mobile app based solution [44856].
(b) outside_system: The software failure incident was also influenced by contributing factors that originated from outside the system. The increasing trend of hackers targeting modern cars with connected technologies, as highlighted by previous incidents involving other car models like the Jeep, Nissan Leaf, and Tesla Model S, indicates a broader external cybersecurity threat landscape that impacts the automotive industry [44856]. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions, human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident in the Mitsubishi Outlander hybrid cars was primarily due to non-human actions. The vulnerability that allowed hackers to remotely control various functions of the car, such as turning off the alarm system and draining the battery, was a result of the car's insecure software system. Security researcher Ken Munro speculated that the insecure software system was likely implemented as a cost-cutting measure by Mitsubishi, choosing a less secure wifi-based connection method over a more secure GSM/web service/mobile app based solution [44856].
(b) However, human actions also played a role in this software failure incident. The security researcher, Ken Munro, discovered the vulnerability by actively investigating and hacking the Mitsubishi Outlander hybrid car. Additionally, the response from Mitsubishi initially showed disinterest when Munro attempted to disclose the vulnerability privately. It was only after Munro contacted the BBC that Mitsubishi took the matter seriously and initiated steps to address the issue [44856]. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
hardware, software |
(a) The software failure incident in the Mitsubishi Outlander hybrid cars was primarily due to hardware-related factors. The vulnerability that allowed hackers to remotely control various functions of the car, such as turning off the alarm system and draining the battery, stemmed from the car's design choice to connect directly with a smartphone via wifi instead of using a more secure GSM/web service/mobile app-based solution [44856].
(b) The software failure incident also had contributing factors originating in software. The insecure software system in the Outlander was speculated to be a result of cost-cutting by Mitsubishi, as the design choice to use wifi for direct car-to-smartphone connection was seen as a cheaper alternative to a more secure GSM/web service/mobile app-based solution. This software design flaw made the car vulnerable to hacking and remote control by malicious actors [44856]. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
malicious |
(a) The software failure incident in the Mitsubishi Outlander hybrid cars can be categorized as malicious. Security researchers discovered a vulnerability that allowed hackers to remotely turn off the car's alarm system, control the lights, drain the battery, and even easily geolocate and track the car. The security expert leading the investigation, Ken Munro, highlighted that the insecure software system in the car was likely a result of cost-cutting by Mitsubishi, making it vulnerable to hacking attempts [44856]. The incident raises concerns about the potential for malicious actors to exploit such vulnerabilities in connected vehicles for nefarious purposes. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
poor_decisions |
(a) The intent of the software failure incident:
The software failure incident involving Mitsubishi Outlander hybrid cars was primarily due to poor decisions made by Mitsubishi in designing the car's software system. Security researcher Ken Munro speculated that the insecure software system was likely a result of cost-cutting measures by Mitsubishi. By opting for a less secure wifi-based connection instead of a more secure GSM/web service/mobile app based solution, Mitsubishi exposed the cars to vulnerabilities that allowed hackers to remotely control various functions of the vehicle, including disabling the alarm system and draining the battery [44856].
Additionally, when Munro reached out to Mitsubishi to disclose the security vulnerability, the initial attempts were met with disinterest from the company. This lack of proactive response from Mitsubishi to address the security flaw in their software system further highlights the poor decisions made in handling the situation [44856]. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
development_incompetence, accidental |
(a) The software failure incident in the Mitsubishi Outlander hybrid cars was primarily attributed to development incompetence. Security researcher Ken Munro speculated that the insecure software system in the car was likely a result of cost-cutting measures by Mitsubishi. Munro mentioned that the design choice to use wifi for direct car-to-smartphone communication instead of a more secure GSM/web service/mobile app based solution was likely made to reduce costs for Mitsubishi, but it introduced significant vulnerabilities that allowed hackers to remotely control various functions of the car [44856].
(b) Additionally, the incident could also be considered accidental as it was not intentional for Mitsubishi to have such vulnerabilities in their software system. The lack of awareness or consideration of potential cybersecurity threats in the design and development process may have led to the accidental introduction of exploitable weaknesses in the car's software [44856]. |
| Duration |
temporary |
The software failure incident in the Mitsubishi Outlander hybrid cars can be considered as a temporary failure. This is evident from the fact that the security breach allowed hackers to remotely turn off the car’s alarm system, control the lights, and drain the battery [Article 44856]. However, Mitsubishi responded by recommending Outlander owners deactivate the wifi system until further notice, indicating that the issue is being addressed and temporary measures are being taken to mitigate the vulnerability. |
| Behaviour |
crash, omission, value, other |
(a) crash: The software failure incident in the Mitsubishi Outlander hybrid cars allowed hackers to remotely turn off the car’s alarm system, control the lights, and drain the battery, indicating a crash in the system where it lost control and did not perform its intended functions [44856].
(b) omission: The vulnerability in the Outlander's software system allowed the hackers to disable the alarm and open the car, indicating an omission in the system's intended functions where it failed to prevent unauthorized access [44856].
(c) timing: There is no specific mention of a timing-related failure in the articles.
(d) value: The software failure incident allowed the hackers to easily geolocate a car and track it, indicating a value-related failure where the system performed its intended functions incorrectly by providing unauthorized access to sensitive information [44856].
(e) byzantine: The articles do not mention any inconsistent responses or interactions in the software failure incident.
(f) other: The software failure incident also highlighted a potential ethical dilemma when the security researchers' attempts to disclose the vulnerability privately to Mitsubishi were met with disinterest, leading to a situation where public disclosure became necessary [44856]. |