| Recurring |
multiple_organization |
(a) In the provided articles, a software failure incident related to security vulnerabilities in internet-connected devices, particularly IoT devices, has been reported. The incident involves the discovery of serious security issues in off-the-shelf IoT devices, such as smart baby monitors, security cameras, and thermostats, which can be easily hacked due to common default passwords and lack of proper security measures [Article 69257].
(b) The incident is not specifically mentioned to have happened at multiple organizations in the articles provided. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design, operation |
(a) The software failure incident occurring due to the development phases related to design:
- The articles highlight security vulnerabilities in IoT devices and closed-circuit TV cameras that stem from default settings and weak password security introduced during the development and configuration phases [12015, 69257].
- Default passwords, easy-to-guess passwords, and lack of password lock-out mechanisms are contributing factors introduced during the development phase that lead to security failures [12015, 69257].
- Manufacturers often deploy IoT devices with common default passwords, making it easy for attackers to access these devices, showcasing a failure in the design phase of these products [69257].
(b) The software failure incident occurring due to the development phases related to operation:
- The articles mention that consumers and businesses rarely change default passwords on IoT devices, leading to security vulnerabilities during the operation phase [69257].
- Lack of password changes by customers and the presence of default passwords contribute to the operation-related failure of these systems [12015, 69257].
- The ease with which criminals can take control of IoT devices due to unchanged default passwords highlights an operational failure in securing these devices [69257]. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system, outside_system |
(a) within_system: The software failure incident reported in the articles is primarily within the system. The vulnerabilities and security issues in the closed-circuit surveillance cameras and IoT devices were due to factors originating from within the systems themselves. For example, default settings with weak password security, inherent vulnerabilities in the systems, default easy-to-guess passwords, lack of password lock-out mechanisms, and common default passwords were all internal factors contributing to the security failures [Article 12015, Article 69257].
(b) outside_system: Additionally, external factors such as hackers exploiting these internal vulnerabilities from outside the systems also played a role in the software failure incidents. The articles mention how hackers could remotely tap into video feeds, control cameras, access live footage, and even infiltrate devices in homes by exploiting the security flaws present within the systems [Article 12015, Article 69257]. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions, human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident occurring due to non-human actions:
- In Article 12015, the software failure incident related to security cameras being vulnerable to hacking due to default settings and weak password security, allowing attackers to remotely tap into the video feeds. This vulnerability was introduced without human participation through the default settings and inherent vulnerabilities in the closed-circuit surveillance cameras [12015].
(b) The software failure incident occurring due to human actions:
- In Article 69257, the software failure incident related to IoT devices being vulnerable to hacking due to common default passwords that consumers rarely change when purchased. This failure was introduced by human actions of not changing default passwords and using easily guessable passwords, making the devices susceptible to malicious attacks [69257]. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
software |
(a) The articles do not provide information about a software failure incident occurring due to contributing factors originating in hardware.
(b) The software failure incidents reported in the articles are primarily due to contributing factors that originate in software.
- Article 12015 discusses how popular brands of closed-circuit surveillance cameras are sold with remote internet access enabled by default and weak password security, leading to security vulnerabilities that could allow hackers to remotely tap into the video feeds. The inherent vulnerabilities in the systems and the tendency of companies to configure them insecurely contribute to the software failure incident in this case.
- Article 69257 highlights how internet-connected home gadgets like smart baby monitors, security cameras, and thermostats can be hacked easily due to serious security issues originating in the software. The ease with which criminals or unauthorized individuals can take control of these devices due to common default passwords, lack of password changes by consumers, and the sharing of default passwords among similar products under different brands all point to software-related vulnerabilities leading to the failure incident. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
malicious |
(a) The software failure incident described in the articles is malicious in nature. The incidents involve hackers exploiting vulnerabilities in security cameras and IoT devices to gain unauthorized access and control over them. For example, in Article 12015, researchers found that popular brands of closed-circuit surveillance cameras were sold with weak password security, enabling hackers to remotely tap into video feeds and control the cameras. Similarly, in Article 69257, cyber security researchers were able to hack into smart baby monitors, security cameras, and thermostats by tracking down their access passwords online, highlighting the ease with which criminals or malicious actors can take control of these devices.
These incidents demonstrate that the software failures were not accidental but rather the result of deliberate actions by individuals seeking to exploit security vulnerabilities for malicious purposes. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
poor_decisions |
(a) The software failure incidents reported in the articles are related to poor decisions made by manufacturers and consumers. In Article 12015, it is highlighted that popular brands of closed-circuit surveillance cameras are sold with remote internet access enabled by default and with weak password security, making them vulnerable to hackers [12015]. Similarly, in Article 69257, it is mentioned that IoT devices often come with common default passwords that are rarely changed by consumers, leading to serious security issues and potential hacking [69257]. These incidents reflect software failures resulting from poor decisions made by manufacturers in setting default insecure configurations and by consumers in not changing default passwords, thereby exposing the devices to cyber threats. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
development_incompetence, accidental |
(a) The articles provide information about software failure incidents related to development incompetence. In Article #12015, it is mentioned that popular brands of closed-circuit surveillance cameras are sold with remote internet access enabled by default and with weak password security, leading to security vulnerabilities. The cameras are often configured insecurely due to manufacturer default settings, making them susceptible to remote compromise by hackers. Additionally, default easy-to-guess passwords are seldom changed by customers, and the systems do not lock out a user after a certain number of incorrect password guesses, making them vulnerable to attacks [12015].
(b) The articles also discuss software failure incidents related to accidental factors. In Article #69257, it is highlighted that internet-connected home gadgets, including smart baby monitors, security cameras, and thermostats, can be hacked in minutes using a simple Google search. The ease with which criminals or malicious actors can take control of these devices is described as "truly frightening." The research team discovered that similar products under different brands often share common default passwords, and consumers rarely change these passwords when purchased, leaving the devices vulnerable to cyber attacks. This lack of proper security measures and the sharing of default passwords across different brands indicate accidental vulnerabilities introduced during the development and deployment of these IoT devices [69257]. |
| Duration |
temporary |
The software failure incidents reported in the articles are more aligned with the temporary duration of failure. In both articles, the incidents describe vulnerabilities in various internet-connected devices, such as CCTV systems and IoT devices, due to default passwords, lack of password changes by customers, and inherent security flaws. These vulnerabilities allow hackers to remotely access and control the devices, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data breaches, and privacy violations. The incidents are temporary in nature as they stem from specific circumstances like default settings and lack of password changes rather than being inherent to the software itself [12015, 69257]. |
| Behaviour |
omission, value, other |
(a) crash: The articles do not specifically mention any software failures related to crashes where the system loses state and does not perform any of its intended functions.
(b) omission: The articles discuss software failures related to omission where the system omits to perform its intended functions at an instance(s). For example, in Article 12015, it is mentioned that default passwords on CCTV systems are seldom changed by customers, leaving the systems vulnerable to attacks [12015]. Similarly, in Article 69257, it is highlighted that consumers and businesses rarely change default passwords on IoT devices, making them susceptible to being controlled by criminals or malicious actors [69257].
(c) timing: The articles do not mention any software failures related to timing, where the system performs its intended functions correctly but too late or too early.
(d) value: The articles discuss software failures related to value where the system performs its intended functions incorrectly. For instance, in Article 12015, it is noted that attackers can seize control of CCTV systems to view live footage, archived footage, or control camera directions, which is not the intended use of the system [12015]. Similarly, in Article 69257, researchers were able to remotely control smart devices like baby monitors and thermostats, which is not the correct usage of these devices [69257].
(e) byzantine: The articles do not mention any software failures related to Byzantine behavior, where the system behaves erroneously with inconsistent responses and interactions.
(f) other: The other behavior mentioned in the articles is related to security vulnerabilities in software systems. Both articles highlight how default passwords, insecure configurations, and lack of password changes by users lead to security failures, allowing unauthorized access and control of devices [12015, 69257]. |