| Recurring |
multiple_organization |
(a) The software failure incident related to the vulnerability in SIM cards that could allow criminals to hack into cell phones was addressed by multiple wireless carriers who rushed to push out updates to patch the problem [20267]. This incident highlights the importance of prompt action by organizations to address software vulnerabilities and protect their customers' data and devices.
(b) The incident involving the vulnerability in SIM cards affecting cell phones was not specifically mentioned to have occurred at multiple organizations. However, the fact that multiple wireless carriers took action to fix the bug indicates that the issue could potentially impact various organizations using SIM cards in their devices. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design, operation |
(a) The software failure incident in the article is related to the design phase. The failure was due to a bug discovered by cryptographer Karsten Nohl in SIM cards used in cell phones. Nohl spent three years figuring out how to hack SIM cards by exploiting flaws in the encryption keys and sending a hidden SMS text message, which allowed access to sensitive personal data stored on the SIM cards [Article 20267].
(b) The software failure incident in the article is also related to the operation phase. Criminals could potentially exploit the bug in SIM cards to carry out various attacks, such as running up charges on a phone bill, intercepting phone calls, remotely controlling phones, tracking device locations, and accessing financial information. This highlights the operational risk and potential misuse of the system by malicious actors [Article 20267]. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system |
(a) within_system: The software failure incident in this case was within the system. The failure was due to a bug discovered by cryptographer Karsten Nohl in SIM cards used in cell phones. Nohl exploited flaws in the encryption keys and sent a hidden SMS text message to access the SIM cards, allowing him to potentially hack into hundreds of millions of cell phones [20267]. The vulnerability was within the system itself, specifically in the SIM cards, which are integral components of the phones' security and functionality. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions, human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident in this case was primarily due to non-human actions, specifically a bug in the SIM cards that allowed for potential hacking into cell phones. The bug was discovered by cryptographer Karsten Nohl after exploiting flaws in the encryption keys and sending a hidden SMS text message to access the SIM cards [20267].
(b) Human actions also played a role in resolving the software failure incident. After the bug was exposed, five wireless carriers took quick action to push out updates that patched the problem. They utilized a Java vulnerability found by Nohl to hack into their own cards and rewrite parts of their operating systems as a solution to the issue [20267]. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
hardware, software |
(a) The software failure incident in the article is related to hardware as it involves a bug in SIM cards, which are physical hardware components found in cell phones and other mobile devices. The bug allowed criminals to potentially hack into cell phones by exploiting flaws in the encryption keys of the SIM cards [20267].
(b) The software failure incident is also related to software as the bug discovered by the cryptographer was a software vulnerability that allowed for the exploitation of the SIM cards. The fix for the bug involved updating the software on the SIM cards to patch the problem, demonstrating the interplay between software and hardware in this incident [20267]. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
malicious |
(a) The software failure incident described in the article is malicious in nature. The incident involved a bug in SIM cards that could have allowed criminals to hack into hundreds of millions of cell phones. The cryptographer, Karsten Nohl, discovered the bug after spending three years figuring out how to hack SIM cards by exploiting flaws in the encryption keys and sending a hidden SMS text message. With access to a phone's SIM card, criminals could carry out various malicious activities such as running up charges on a phone bill, intercepting phone calls, remotely controlling phones, tracking device locations, and accessing financial information [20267]. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
unknown |
(a) The intent of the software failure incident related to poor_decisions:
- The software failure incident in the article was not directly related to poor decisions but rather to a bug that could have allowed criminals to hack into cell phones [20267].
- The security flaw was discovered by cryptographer Karsten Nohl after spending three years figuring out how to hack SIM cards by exploiting flaws in the encryption keys and sending a hidden SMS text message [20267].
- The wireless carriers fixed the bug after Nohl's findings were revealed, indicating a proactive response to address the security vulnerability [20267].
(b) The intent of the software failure incident related to accidental_decisions:
- The software failure incident was not caused by accidental decisions but rather by a bug that could have allowed criminals to hack into cell phones [20267].
- The discovery of the bug was a result of deliberate research and efforts by cryptographer Karsten Nohl to identify vulnerabilities in SIM cards [20267].
- The wireless carriers took quick action to patch the problem after Nohl's findings were made public, indicating a deliberate response to address the security issue [20267]. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
development_incompetence, accidental |
(a) The software failure incident in the article can be attributed to development incompetence as it was caused by a bug that could have allowed criminals to hack into cell phones. The bug was discovered by cryptographer Karsten Nohl after spending three years figuring out how to hack SIM cards [Article 20267].
(b) The software failure incident can also be considered accidental as the bug in the SIM cards was not intentionally created but rather discovered by Nohl through his research efforts. The flaw in the encryption keys and the ability to send a hidden SMS text message to exploit the SIM cards were accidental discoveries that led to the potential security breach [Article 20267]. |
| Duration |
temporary |
The software failure incident described in the article was temporary. The incident was related to a bug in SIM cards that could have allowed criminals to hack into cell phones. The bug was discovered by cryptographer Karsten Nohl, who spent three years figuring out how to hack SIM cards. The flaw in the encryption keys and sending a hidden SMS text message allowed access to sensitive personal data stored on the SIM cards. The incident prompted major wireless carriers to rush out updates to patch the problem, demonstrating a temporary failure that was addressed promptly to prevent potential security breaches [Article 20267]. |
| Behaviour |
other |
(a) crash: The software failure incident described in the article is not related to a crash where the system loses state and does not perform any of its intended functions. Instead, the incident involves a security flaw in SIM cards that could have allowed criminals to hack into cell phones [Article 20267].
(b) omission: The incident does not involve a failure due to the system omitting to perform its intended functions at an instance(s). It is more focused on a security vulnerability in SIM cards that could potentially lead to unauthorized access to sensitive personal data on cell phones [Article 20267].
(c) timing: The failure is not related to the system performing its intended functions correctly but too late or too early. It is more about a bug in SIM cards that could have serious security implications if exploited by criminals [Article 20267].
(d) value: The software failure incident is not about the system performing its intended functions incorrectly. It is more about a bug in SIM cards that could have allowed unauthorized access to sensitive personal data on cell phones [Article 20267].
(e) byzantine: The incident does not involve the system behaving erroneously with inconsistent responses and interactions, which would fall under the byzantine behavior category. Instead, it is about a security vulnerability in SIM cards that could have been exploited by hackers to access personal data on cell phones [Article 20267].
(f) other: The behavior of the software failure incident can be categorized as a security vulnerability in SIM cards that could potentially lead to unauthorized access to sensitive personal data on cell phones. The incident highlights the importance of addressing such vulnerabilities promptly to prevent potential security breaches [Article 20267]. |