| Recurring |
multiple_organization |
(a) The software failure incident related to the XAgent malware targeting Apple devices is not explicitly mentioned to have happened again within the same organization (Apple) or with its products and services in the provided article [33671].
(b) The article mentions that the XAgent malware incident is related to another type of spyware called SEDNIT that works on Microsoft Windows' systems, created by a group of hackers known as Operation Pawn Storm. This indicates that similar incidents have happened with other organizations or their products and services [33671]. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design, operation |
(a) The software failure incident related to the design phase can be seen in the development of the XAgent malware targeting iPhones running iOS 7 and iOS 8. The malware was designed to infect Apple devices, collect various personal information, and even turn on the iPhone's microphone to record surroundings. This indicates a failure in the design of the iOS software, allowing vulnerabilities to be exploited by hackers [33671].
(b) The software failure incident related to the operation phase is evident in the way the XAgent malware operates on iOS devices. Once installed, the malware runs in the background, hides its icon, and even restarts immediately if the process is killed. This behavior showcases the operational impact of the malware on compromised devices, affecting their normal functioning and security [33671]. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system, outside_system |
(a) The software failure incident related to the XAgent malware can be categorized as within_system. The malware was designed to infect iPhones running iOS 7 and iOS 8, collecting various personal information and even turning on the device's microphone to record audio [33671]. The malware was specifically created by a group of hackers to target high-profile individuals and was spread through phishing attacks originating from the phones of friends and associates [33671]. Additionally, the malware was designed to run in the background immediately after installation and could restart almost immediately if the process was terminated, indicating a high level of functionality and persistence within the system [33671]. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions, human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident occurring due to non-human actions:
The software failure incident in this case was primarily due to the XAgent malware, which was designed by a group of Russian hackers to infect iPhones running iOS 7 and iOS 8. The malware spread via phishing attacks sent from the phones of friends and associates to encourage targets to click on a link and install the spyware. Once installed, the XAgent malware would collect various personal information from the infected devices and send it to a remote server. Additionally, the malware could turn on the iPhone's microphone and record the surrounding audio without human intervention [33671].
(b) The software failure incident occurring due to human actions:
The XAgent malware, created by a group of Russian hackers, was a result of deliberate human actions aimed at targeting specific high-profile individuals. The hackers behind the malware were actively involved in designing and spreading the spyware to gather sensitive information from their targets. The phishing attacks used to distribute the malware involved human interaction to deceive individuals into clicking on malicious links, leading to the installation of the spyware on their devices. Furthermore, the group responsible for the XAgent malware, known as Operation Pawn Storm, had a history of targeting military officials, defense contractors, government officials, and journalists through cyber-espionage operations, indicating intentional human actions behind the software failure incident [33671]. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
hardware, software |
(a) The software failure incident related to hardware:
- The XAgent malware was designed to run on Apple devices like the iPhone 6, even if they are not jailbroken, indicating that the malware can affect the hardware of the devices [33671].
(b) The software failure incident related to software:
- The XAgent malware itself is a software that infects iPhones running iOS 7 and iOS 8, collecting various types of personal information and sending it to a remote server [33671].
- The malware was designed to run in the background immediately after installation, with the ability to restart almost immediately if terminated, indicating software-related behavior [33671]. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
malicious |
(a) The software failure incident related to the XAgent malware on iPhones is malicious in nature. The malware was designed by a group of Russian hackers to steal personal information from specific high-profile targets, including text messages, contact lists, pictures, location data, and more. The malware also had the capability to turn on the iPhone's microphone and record surrounding audio, indicating a malicious intent to spy on individuals [33671]. Additionally, the malware was part of a targeted attack by the hackers, showing a deliberate effort to compromise the security and privacy of certain individuals [33671].
(b) The software failure incident is non-malicious in the sense that it exploited vulnerabilities in Apple's iOS software, particularly in versions prior to iOS 7, which could have allowed hackers to eavesdrop on financial transactions, emails, and social media activity without the users' knowledge. This vulnerability was eventually fixed through an update to the iOS7 software, indicating that the failure was due to unintentional flaws in the software that could have been exploited by malicious actors [33671]. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
poor_decisions |
(a) The intent of the software failure incident was related to poor_decisions. The XAgent malware, designed by a group of Russian hackers, was created to steal personal information from iPhones, including text messages, contacts, pictures, and location data. The malware also had the capability to turn on the iPhone's microphone and record surrounding audio. Additionally, the malware was involved in a targeted attack on specific high-profile targets, indicating a deliberate and malicious intent behind its creation [33671].
(b) The software failure incident was not related to accidental_decisions but rather deliberate actions taken by the hackers to exploit vulnerabilities in Apple's iOS software and compromise the security and privacy of iPhone users. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
development_incompetence |
(a) The software failure incident related to development incompetence can be seen in the case of the XAgent malware targeting iPhones. The malware was designed by a group of Russian hackers who have previously targeted governments, the military, and the media [33671]. The malware was sophisticated enough to collect various types of personal information from iPhones, including text messages, contact lists, pictures, location data, and more. Additionally, the malware could activate the iPhone's microphone to record surrounding audio. The malware's functionality and ability to evade detection by hiding its icon and restarting immediately after termination on iOS 7 devices suggest a high level of professional competence in its development.
(b) The accidental software failure incident can be observed in the vulnerability present in past iterations of iOS software, dating back to as long ago as September 2012. Security experts warned that this vulnerability could have been exploited by hackers for activities like eavesdropping on financial transactions, emails, and social media activity [33671]. This vulnerability was eventually fixed by an update to the iOS 7 software in February. Additionally, accidental incidents like the iCloud hack that led to the leak of personal and naked photographs of celebrities also highlight instances where software failures occurred due to accidental factors rather than intentional actions. |
| Duration |
permanent |
(a) The software failure incident related to the XAgent malware targeting iPhones running iOS 7 and iOS 8 can be considered as a permanent failure. This is because the malware was designed to infect and collect information from specific high-profile targets continuously without the users' knowledge. The malware runs in the background immediately after installation, hides its icon, and even if the process is terminated, it restarts almost immediately. Additionally, the malware was designed prior to the release of iOS 8, indicating a deliberate and ongoing effort to exploit vulnerabilities in Apple devices [33671]. |
| Behaviour |
crash, omission, value, byzantine, other |
(a) crash: The XAgent malware mentioned in the article can be considered a form of crash as it runs in the background immediately after being installed on iOS 7 devices and even if the process is killed, it restarts almost immediately, indicating a failure in the system losing state and not performing its intended functions [33671].
(b) omission: The XAgent malware can also be categorized as an omission failure as it collects various personal information from iPhones, such as text messages, contact lists, pictures, location data, lists of apps, and records audio from the device, which are not the intended functions of the device [33671].
(c) timing: There is no specific mention of a timing failure in the articles provided.
(d) value: The XAgent malware can be seen as a value failure as it performs its intended functions incorrectly by collecting and transmitting personal information from iPhones to a remote server without the user's consent or knowledge, which is a breach of privacy and security [33671].
(e) byzantine: The XAgent malware could also be considered a byzantine failure as it behaves erroneously by switching on the iPhone's microphone and recording everything going on around it, which is an inconsistent and unauthorized action that goes against the user's expectations and privacy [33671].
(f) other: The XAgent malware also exhibits other behaviors not covered by the options listed, such as spreading via phishing attacks sent from the phones of friends and associates to encourage targets to click on a link and install the spyware, which can be considered a deceptive and manipulative behavior [33671]. |