| Recurring |
one_organization, multiple_organization |
(a) The software failure incident related to the unpatched security flaw in Adobe Flash, which was exploited by malware developers following the leak of data from Hacking Team's servers [38029]. This incident highlights a failure within the organization to address and patch known vulnerabilities in their software promptly, leading to potential exploitation by malicious actors.
(b) The incident also demonstrates a broader issue in the cybersecurity landscape where zero-day vulnerabilities, such as the one exploited in this case, can be leveraged by multiple attackers and incorporated into exploit kits for malicious purposes [38029]. This indicates a recurring challenge faced by various organizations in dealing with the exploitation of software vulnerabilities by cybercriminals. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design, operation |
(a) The software failure incident related to the design phase can be attributed to the unpatched security flaw in Adobe Flash that was discovered and kept secret by the Italian cyber-surveillance firm Hacking Team. This flaw was exploited by malware developers to hack victims' computers following the leak of data from the company's servers [38029].
(b) The software failure incident related to the operation phase can be seen in the misuse of the security flaw by virus writers who are already using it to deliver cryptolocker software onto unsuspecting computers. This misuse of the security flaw highlights the operational aspect of the failure, where attackers are taking advantage of the vulnerability to compromise systems [38029]. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system |
(a) within_system: The software failure incident related to the unpatched security flaw in Adobe Flash was due to contributing factors that originated from within the system. The vulnerability was discovered and kept secret by the Italian cyber-surveillance firm Hacking Team [38029]. Adobe was working on publishing a patch for the vulnerability, indicating that the issue was internal to the software itself. Additionally, the leak of over 400GB of data from Hacking Team's servers exposed the flaw, leading to its exploitation by malware developers [38029]. |
| 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 an unpatched security flaw in Adobe Flash that was discovered and kept secret by the Italian cyber-surveillance firm Hacking Team. This flaw was then exploited by malware developers to hack victims' computers following the leak of data from the company's servers [38029].
(b) However, human actions also played a role in this software failure incident. The leak of over 400GB of data from Hacking Team's servers, which included emails, presentations, source code, and information about their clients, was a result of human actions. Additionally, the actions of virus writers who incorporated the leaked code into their malware to exploit the security flaw in Adobe Flash were also human-driven [38029]. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
software |
(a) The software failure incident reported in the article is primarily related to software vulnerabilities in Adobe Flash and the hacking software developed by Hacking Team. The unpatched security flaw in Adobe Flash allowed malware developers to hack victims' computers, leading to potential system crashes and unauthorized control of affected systems [38029].
(b) The software failure incident also involves software vulnerabilities in the hacking software developed by Hacking Team. The leak of over 400GB of data from Hacking Team's servers exposed the code for much of the company's hacking software, including zero-day vulnerabilities that were previously unknown and unpatched. This allowed virus writers to incorporate the code into their own malware, leading to the exploitation of these vulnerabilities for malicious purposes [38029]. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
malicious |
(a) The software failure incident in this case is malicious. The incident involved an unpatched security flaw in Adobe Flash that was discovered and kept secret by the Italian cyber-surveillance firm Hacking Team. This flaw was then used by malware developers to hack victims' computers following the leak of data from the company's servers. The leaked data included emails, presentations, and source code for Hacking Team's software, which was then incorporated by virus writers into their own malware to deliver cryptolocker software and take control of affected systems [38029]. Additionally, the leaked documents revealed that Hacking Team had clients in countries like Russia and Sudan, which raised concerns about potential violations of EU sanctions regimes [38029].
(b) The software failure incident cannot be categorized as non-malicious as it involved intentional actions by individuals to exploit the security flaw and use it for malicious purposes. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
poor_decisions |
(a) The software failure incident related to the unpatched security flaw in Adobe Flash, which was discovered and kept secret by the Italian cyber-surveillance firm Hacking Team, can be attributed to poor decisions. The company had vulnerabilities in its software that were not disclosed or patched, leading to the exploitation of these flaws by malware developers [38029]. Additionally, the leak of over 400GB of data from Hacking Team's servers revealed embarrassing information about the firm's actions and clients, indicating poor decisions in handling sensitive data and security measures. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
development_incompetence, accidental |
(a) The software failure incident related to development incompetence is evident in the article. The unpatched security flaw in Adobe Flash, discovered and kept secret by Hacking Team, was exploited by malware developers following the leak of data from the company's servers [38029]. This indicates a lack of professional competence in handling and securing the software, leading to the vulnerability being used by attackers.
(b) The software failure incident also has elements of accidental factors. The leak of over 400GB of data from Hacking Team's servers, including emails, presentations, and source code, was not intentional but accidental [38029]. Additionally, the incorporation of the leaked code into malware by virus writers can be seen as an accidental consequence of the data breach. |
| Duration |
temporary |
The software failure incident described in the article is temporary. The incident was caused by an unpatched security flaw in Adobe Flash, which was discovered and kept secret by Hacking Team. This flaw was then exploited by malware developers following the leak of data from Hacking Team's servers [38029]. The temporary nature of this failure is evident from the fact that Adobe was working on publishing a patch to address the vulnerability, which indicates that the issue was not permanent but rather a result of specific circumstances surrounding the security flaw. |
| Behaviour |
crash, value, other |
(a) crash: The software failure incident mentioned in the article involves a crash as a result of an unpatched security flaw in Adobe Flash. The exploit could cause a crash and potentially allow an attacker to take control of the affected system [38029].
(b) omission: The software failure incident does not specifically mention a failure due to the system omitting to perform its intended functions at an instance(s).
(c) timing: The software failure incident does not specifically mention a failure due to the system performing its intended functions correctly, but too late or too early.
(d) value: The software failure incident involves a failure due to the system performing its intended functions incorrectly. Virus writers are using the security flaw to deliver cryptolocker software, which encrypts users' data and demands payment to unlock it [38029].
(e) byzantine: The software failure incident does not specifically mention a failure due to the system behaving erroneously with inconsistent responses and interactions.
(f) other: The software failure incident involves the behavior of the system being exploited by malware developers following the leak of data from the company's servers. Additionally, the leak included the code for much of the company's hacking software, which is now being incorporated by virus writers into their own malware [38029]. |