Incident: Amazon Cloud-Based Computers Used to Break WPA-PSK Network Passwords

Published Date: 2011-01-07

Postmortem Analysis
Timeline 1. The software failure incident of hacking into protected networks using specialized software running on Amazon's cloud-based computers was reported in the article published on 2011-01-07 [3834]. Therefore, the software failure incident happened in January 2011.
System 1. WPA-PSK encryption method [3834]
Responsible Organization 1. Thomas Roth, the security researcher who developed the specialized software to break into protected networks [Article 3834].
Impacted Organization 1. Businesses and home networks using relatively simple passwords to secure their networks were impacted by the software failure incident [3834].
Software Causes 1. The software cause of the failure incident was the development and use of specialized software by Thomas Roth that runs on Amazon's cloud-based computers to test 400,000 potential passwords per second, allowing for the quick and inexpensive breaking of WPA-PSK protected networks [3834].
Non-software Causes 1. Lack of strong password practices: The incident highlighted the vulnerability of networks using relatively simple passwords for protection, making them prone to attacks [3834]. 2. Misconception among network administrators: There was a misconception among network administrators that the encryption method WPA-PSK was strong enough to prevent intruders from breaking into networks, leading to a false sense of security [3834].
Impacts 1. The software failure incident led to the exposure of the vulnerability in the commonly used WPA-PSK encryption method, making networks using relatively simple passwords prone to attack [3834].
Preventions 1. Implementing stronger password policies: To prevent incidents like the one described in the article where a security researcher was able to break into networks due to weak passwords, organizations should enforce stronger password policies that include complexity requirements and regular password changes [3834]. 2. Regular security audits and testing: Conducting regular security audits and penetration testing can help identify vulnerabilities in the network security infrastructure before they can be exploited by hackers [3834]. 3. Utilizing multi-factor authentication: Implementing multi-factor authentication can add an extra layer of security beyond just passwords, making it harder for unauthorized users to gain access to the network [3834].
Fixes 1. Strengthening password policies by encouraging the use of complex and unique passwords for network security [3834]. 2. Implementing multi-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security beyond just passwords [3834]. 3. Regularly updating encryption methods and security protocols to stay ahead of potential vulnerabilities [3834].
References 1. Thomas Roth, a computer security consultant based in Cologne, Germany [Article 3834] 2. Amazon spokesman Drew Herdener [Article 3834]

Software Taxonomy of Faults

Category Option Rationale
Recurring unknown (a) The software failure incident of breaking into protected networks using specialized software running on Amazon's cloud-based computers has not been reported to have happened again within the same organization or with its products and services. (b) The incident of breaking into networks using Amazon's cloud-based computers has not been reported to have happened again at other organizations or with their products and services as per the provided article [3834].
Phase (Design/Operation) design, operation (a) The software failure incident in the article is related to the design phase. The failure occurred due to the development of specialized software by Thomas Roth that runs on Amazon's cloud-based computers to test 400,000 potential passwords per second, ultimately breaking into protected networks using relatively simple passwords [3834]. (b) The software failure incident is also related to the operation phase. This failure was due to the misuse of Amazon Web Services (AWS) and its Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) computing service by Thomas Roth to break into networks without authorization, violating Amazon's acceptable use policy [3834].
Boundary (Internal/External) within_system, outside_system (a) within_system: The software failure incident described in the article is primarily within the system. The failure occurred due to the development of specialized software by the security researcher, Thomas Roth, which runs on Amazon's cloud-based computers to test potential passwords for breaking into wireless networks [3834]. (b) outside_system: The software failure incident can also be attributed to factors outside the system. Specifically, the incident involved the utilization of Amazon's cloud-based computing service, Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2), by the security researcher to carry out the attack on wireless networks. While Amazon stated that the researcher's work would violate their policies if used to compromise network security without authorization, the incident highlights how external services like Amazon's cloud infrastructure can be leveraged for malicious activities [3834].
Nature (Human/Non-human) non-human_actions, human_actions (a) The software failure incident in the article is related to non-human actions. The incident involves a security researcher who developed specialized software to run on Amazon's cloud-based computers to break into protected networks by testing potential passwords at a high speed. The incident highlights the vulnerability of networks using relatively simple passwords for security, which can be exploited by leveraging the processing power of multiple computers [Article 3834]. (b) The software failure incident is not directly attributed to human actions in terms of introducing contributing factors that led to the failure. However, the security researcher's actions in developing and distributing the software to the public, as well as using Amazon's cloud-based computers for the attack, can be considered as human actions that contributed to demonstrating the vulnerability of the encryption method used for network security [Article 3834].
Dimension (Hardware/Software) software (a) The software failure incident in the article is not directly related to hardware issues. The incident described by the security researcher, Thomas Roth, involves breaking into protected networks using specialized software running on Amazon's cloud-based computers. The failure to secure the networks is due to the vulnerability of the encryption method (WPA-PSK) and the ability of hackers to use powerful computing resources to brute force their way into networks [3834]. (b) The software failure incident in the article is primarily related to software issues. Thomas Roth developed specialized software that runs on Amazon's cloud-based computers to test potential passwords at a high speed, leading to the vulnerability of networks using the WPA-PSK encryption method. The failure lies in the software's ability to break into networks by exploiting weaknesses in the password protection system [3834].
Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) malicious (a) The software failure incident described in the article is malicious in nature. The security researcher, Thomas Roth, developed specialized software to hack into protected networks using Amazon's cloud-based computers. He intentionally created this software to demonstrate the vulnerability of networks using relatively simple passwords for wireless network protection. Roth's objective was to show how crafty intruders could break into networks by brute-forcing their way into figuring out passwords, ultimately highlighting the weakness of the commonly used encryption method, WPA-PSK. Additionally, Roth planned to distribute his software to the public and teach people how to use it at a hacking conference, indicating a malicious intent to exploit network vulnerabilities [3834].
Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) poor_decisions, unknown (a) The intent of the software failure incident related to poor decisions can be seen in the actions of the security researcher, Thomas Roth, who developed specialized software to break into protected networks using Amazon's cloud-based computers [3834]. Roth's decision to create and distribute this software, as well as teach others how to use it, can be considered a poor decision as it exposes networks to potential attacks by intruders who may exploit the vulnerabilities in the encryption method (WPA-PSK) [3834]. (b) The intent of the software failure incident related to accidental decisions is not evident in the articles provided.
Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) development_incompetence, accidental (a) The software failure incident in the provided article can be attributed to development incompetence. The security researcher, Thomas Roth, developed specialized software that runs on Amazon's cloud-based computers to break into protected networks using a commonly used encryption method (WPA-PSK) by testing 400,000 potential passwords per second [3834]. This incident highlights the vulnerability of networks secured with relatively simple passwords and the potential risks posed by the misuse of technology developed by individuals with malicious intent or lack of ethical considerations. (b) The software failure incident can also be considered accidental to some extent. While Thomas Roth's intention was to demonstrate the weaknesses in network security and convince network administrators to strengthen their defenses, the unintended consequence of his research was the potential for malicious actors to exploit the same method to gain unauthorized access to networks. This accidental aspect of the incident underscores the importance of responsible disclosure and ethical considerations in cybersecurity research and the potential impact of well-intentioned actions leading to unintended negative consequences [3834].
Duration temporary The software failure incident described in the article is temporary. The incident occurred due to the introduction of contributing factors, specifically the use of specialized software developed by Thomas Roth that runs on Amazon's cloud-based computers to break into WPA-PSK protected networks. This incident is not permanent as it is dependent on the specific circumstances and tools used by the attacker, rather than being a systemic issue affecting all networks ([3834]).
Behaviour 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 [Article 3834]. (b) omission: The failure in this incident is not due to the system omitting to perform its intended functions at an instance(s) [Article 3834]. (c) timing: The failure is not related to the system performing its intended functions correctly but too late or too early [Article 3834]. (d) value: The software failure incident is not attributed to the system performing its intended functions incorrectly [Article 3834]. (e) byzantine: The incident does not involve the system behaving erroneously with inconsistent responses and interactions [Article 3834]. (f) other: The behavior of the software failure incident in the article is related to a security vulnerability that allows unauthorized access to wireless networks by exploiting weak password protection, rather than fitting into the categories of crash, omission, timing, value, or byzantine behavior.

IoT System Layer

Layer Option Rationale
Perception None None
Communication None None
Application None None

Other Details

Category Option Rationale
Consequence property, theoretical_consequence (d) property: People's material goods, money, or data was impacted due to the software failure The software failure incident described in the article relates to a security researcher, Thomas Roth, who developed specialized software to break into protected networks using Amazon's cloud-based computers. By testing 400,000 potential passwords per second, the software could potentially gain unauthorized access to networks that use relatively simple passwords for security [3834]. This breach of network security could lead to the compromise of sensitive data, intellectual property, and potentially financial losses for individuals or businesses whose networks are infiltrated.
Domain information, finance (a) The failed system in the article is related to the information industry as it involves a security researcher demonstrating a vulnerability in wireless network password protection [3834]. (h) The incident also has implications for the finance industry as it highlights the potential security risks for businesses and individuals who use relatively simple passwords to secure their networks, making them prone to attacks [3834]. (m) Additionally, the incident could impact other industries that rely on secure network communications for their operations, such as government agencies, healthcare providers, educational institutions, and various businesses that handle sensitive information [3834].

Sources

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