| Recurring |
unknown |
(a) The software failure incident related to ransomware targeting Apple users with the KeRanger malware is a unique event for Apple users. It is the first functioning ransomware attack on Apple's Mac computers, as confirmed by security experts at Palo Alto Networks [41531]. This incident marks the arrival of truly dangerous ransomware on the OS X platform, which was not seen before in the Apple ecosystem [42064].
(b) The incident of ransomware targeting Apple users with the KeRanger malware is not a recurring issue within the same organization or with its products and services. It is a significant event as it represents the first functioning ransomware attack on Apple's Mac computers, indicating a new threat for Apple users [41531]. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design, operation |
(a) The software failure incident related to the design phase can be attributed to the fact that the KeRanger ransomware was able to bypass Apple's Gatekeeper protection because it was signed with a valid Mac app development certificate. This allowed it to make it past the security guards in the first place [42064].
(b) The software failure incident related to the operation phase can be seen in the fact that users who downloaded the infected versions of Transmission software were at risk of being infected by KeRanger. The malware would encrypt files on the infected personal computer three days after the original infection, highlighting the impact of the operation or use of the infected software [41531]. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system, outside_system |
(a) within_system: The software failure incident involving the KeRanger ransomware attack on Mac users was primarily due to contributing factors that originated from within the system. The malware was able to bypass Apple's Gatekeeper protection because the KeRanger application was signed with a valid Mac app development certificate, allowing it to infiltrate Mac computers [42064]. Additionally, the infected software, Transmission, was an open-source project, and there were suspicions that the project's official website might have been compromised, leading to the distribution of re-compiled malicious versions of the software [42064].
(b) outside_system: The software failure incident was also influenced by contributing factors that originated from outside the system. The ransomware attack itself was a result of hackers targeting Apple customers with the KeRanger malware, marking the first campaign against Macintosh computers using ransomware [41531]. The malicious software was spread through the Transmission website, indicating an external source of the attack [41531]. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions, human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident in the articles was primarily due to non-human actions. The ransomware attack known as KeRanger targeted Apple users through infected BitTorrent software, specifically Transmission, which was distributed with the ransomware embedded in it [42064, 41531]. The malware was able to bypass Apple's Gatekeeper protection as it was signed with a valid Mac app development certificate, allowing it to infect Mac computers without direct human involvement in the distribution process [42064].
However, human actions were also involved in the incident as the ransomware attack was facilitated by hackers who targeted Apple customers over the weekend, leading to the first campaign against Macintosh computers using ransomware [41531]. Additionally, the Transmission website, where the infected software was available for download, had to take steps to address the issue by advising users to upgrade to a clean version of the software or delete the infected one [41531]. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
software |
(a) The software failure incident in the articles was primarily due to contributing factors that originate in software. The incident involved ransomware named KeRanger that infected Mac computers through the Transmission BitTorrent client software [42064, 41531]. The ransomware encrypted files on infected machines and demanded a ransom for decryption, indicating a software-based attack.
(b) The software failure incident was not directly attributed to hardware issues but rather to software vulnerabilities and malicious code [42064, 41531]. The ransomware attack targeted Apple's Mac computers through the Transmission software, exploiting security weaknesses in the software rather than hardware-related issues. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
malicious, non-malicious |
(a) The software failure incident related to the KeRanger ransomware attack on Mac users is categorized as malicious. The ransomware was designed to infect computers, encrypt files, and demand a ransom from the victims in exchange for decrypting the files. The incident was the first functioning ransomware attack targeting Apple's Mac computers, indicating a deliberate attempt to harm users and extort money [42064, 41531].
(b) The incident also involved non-malicious factors, such as the possibility that the Transmission project's official website was compromised, leading to the distribution of re-compiled malicious versions of the software. Additionally, the KeRanger application was signed with a valid Mac app development certificate, allowing it to bypass Apple's Gatekeeper protection, which could have been a result of a security oversight rather than a deliberate act of harm [42064]. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
poor_decisions |
(a) poor_decisions: The software failure incident related to the KeRanger ransomware attack on Mac users was a result of poor decisions. The malware was able to bypass Apple's Gatekeeper protection because the KeRanger application was signed with a valid Mac app development certificate, allowing it to evade security measures [42064]. Additionally, it was suggested that the project's official website for the Transmission software may have been compromised, leading to the distribution of malicious versions of the software [42064]. These poor decisions in security measures and potential compromise of the official website contributed to the successful deployment of the ransomware on Mac systems. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
development_incompetence, accidental |
(a) The software failure incident related to development incompetence is evident in the articles. The KeRanger ransomware incident targeted at Apple users was able to bypass Apple's Gatekeeper protection because the KeRanger application was signed with a valid Mac app development certificate. This allowed it to evade Apple's security measures [42064]. Additionally, the researchers suggested that it's possible the Transmission Project's official website was compromised, leading to the distribution of re-compiled malicious versions of the software, although they couldn't confirm how the infection occurred [42064].
(b) The software failure incident related to accidental factors is seen in the articles as well. The Transmission site offered the open-source software infected with the ransomware, indicating an accidental distribution of the malware to users who downloaded the infected version [41531]. The malware was programmed to encrypt files on infected computers three days after the original infection, showing an unintentional consequence of the malware spreading to victims' devices [41531]. |
| Duration |
temporary |
(a) The software failure incident in the articles was temporary. The ransomware attack known as KeRanger was detected on Friday, March 4, 2016, and steps were taken over the weekend to prevent further attacks and neutralize the malware [42064, 41531]. The malware was programmed to encrypt files on an infected computer three days after the original infection, indicating a specific timeline for the incident [41531]. Measures were implemented to address the issue and protect users from the ransomware, suggesting that the incident was not permanent but rather a temporary disruption caused by the malware. |
| Behaviour |
crash, value, other |
(a) crash: The software failure incident in the articles can be categorized as a crash. The ransomware, KeRanger, encrypted files on infected Mac computers, essentially locking up the files and rendering the devices unusable until the ransom was paid [42064, 41531].
(b) omission: There is no indication in the articles that the software failure incident was due to the system omitting to perform its intended functions at an instance(s).
(c) timing: The software failure incident does not align with a timing failure where the system performs its intended functions correctly but too late or too early.
(d) value: The failure of the software incident falls under the category of performing its intended functions incorrectly, as the ransomware encrypted files on the Mac computers, demanding a ransom for decryption [42064, 41531].
(e) byzantine: The software failure incident does not exhibit characteristics of a byzantine failure where the system behaves erroneously with inconsistent responses and interactions.
(f) other: The behavior of the software failure incident can be described as a ransomware attack that successfully encrypted files on Mac computers, demanding a ransom for decryption, which is a form of malicious behavior not covered by the options provided [42064, 41531]. |