| Recurring |
one_organization, multiple_organization |
(a) The software failure incident related to the ability to easily hack iPhones using a device like the IP Box has happened again within the same organization, Apple. The incident mentioned in the article involves Apple iPhones being vulnerable to hacking using a £120 device, which can crack the four-digit passcode and access private and confidential data stored on the devices [42971].
(b) The software failure incident of iPhones being susceptible to hacking using devices like the IP Box has also occurred with other organizations or individuals. The article mentions that the IP Box, which can crack iPhone passcodes, is openly sold on the internet and can be used to gain unauthorized access to iPhones, including iPads and mini iPads. Additionally, the article highlights that a new device capable of cracking the latest Apple iPhone software, iOS 9, will be introduced, making millions of iPhones vulnerable to such attacks [42971]. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design, operation |
(a) The software failure incident related to the design phase can be seen in the article where it discusses how the IP Box, a £120 device, was able to crack the passcode of an Apple iPhone 5C by launching a 'brute force' attack on the password by going through all the possible combinations until it finds the right one. This device exploited a vulnerability in the design of the iPhone's security system, allowing it to bypass the security measures put in place by Apple [42971].
(b) The software failure incident related to the operation phase is evident in the same article where it describes how the IP Box, once connected to the iPhone, was able to keep trying codes even after the iPhone would normally be disabled after five wrong attempts. This operation of continuously trying codes until successful showcases a failure in the operation or misuse of the iPhone's security system, allowing unauthorized access to the device [42971]. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system |
(a) within_system: The software failure incident described in the articles is primarily within the system. The failure occurred due to the vulnerability of iPhones to be hacked using a £120 device called an IP Box, which can crack the four-digit passcode of iPhones by launching a 'brute force' attack on the password [42971]. This vulnerability exists within the system itself, allowing unauthorized access to private and confidential data stored on Apple iPhones. The failure is not caused by external factors but rather by the inherent security weakness of the iPhone system. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions, human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident occurring due to non-human actions:
The software failure in this case was due to the vulnerability of iPhones to being hacked by a £120 device called an IP Box, which could crack the four-digit passcode of iPhones through a brute force attack. This device allowed access to private and confidential details stored on Apple iPhones, including photographs, emails, contact details, and call histories [42971].
(b) The software failure incident occurring due to human actions:
The failure due to human actions in this case involves the actions of individuals using the IP Box device to hack into iPhones. While the IP Box itself is not illegal, using it to hack someone's iPhone would be considered a crime under section 55 of the Data Protection Act 1998 [42971]. Additionally, the decision by the FBI to engage in a high-stakes legal battle with Apple over unlocking the iPhone belonging to Syed Farook also contributed to the human aspect of this software failure incident [42971]. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
hardware, software |
(a) The software failure incident related to hardware:
- The article discusses a device called an IP Box that can be used to crack the passcode of iPhones, including accessing private and confidential details stored on the devices [42971].
- The IP Box is a hardware device that launches a 'brute force' attack on the password by going through all possible combinations until it finds the right one, bypassing the security measures of the iPhone [42971].
- The IP Box was able to crack the passcode of an iPhone 5C in nearly six hours, demonstrating a vulnerability in the hardware security of the device [42971].
(b) The software failure incident related to software:
- The article mentions that iPhones run on computer programs called operating systems, which are updated over time to increase security and make other features more efficient [42971].
- It is highlighted that the iPhone tested in the investigation was running an older operating system, iOS 7, while the San Bernardino phone was on iOS 9. Experts claim that similar devices can also hack the newer operating system, indicating a software vulnerability [42971].
- The article also mentions that a new device will be sold that can crack into the latest Apple iPhone software, the iOS 9 system, making even iPhones with the latest software potentially vulnerable to attack [42971]. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
malicious |
(a) The software failure incident described in Article 42971 is malicious in nature. The incident involves the use of a £120 device called an IP Box that can crack the passcode of iPhones through a 'brute force' attack, allowing access to private and confidential data stored on the devices [42971]. This device was used to unlock an iPhone 5C in the investigation conducted by The Mail on Sunday, demonstrating how easily smartphones can be hacked by criminals using such tools. Additionally, the article mentions that the IP Box is not illegal, but using it to hack someone's iPhone would be a crime under the Data Protection Act 1998 [42971].
(b) The incident does not involve a non-malicious software failure. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
poor_decisions, accidental_decisions |
(a) The intent of the software failure incident related to poor_decisions:
- The software failure incident of iPhones being easily hacked using a £120 device was due to poor decisions made by Apple in terms of security measures and the FBI's approach to gaining access to a terrorist's iPhone [42971].
(b) The intent of the software failure incident related to accidental_decisions:
- The software failure incident of iPhones being easily hacked using a £120 device was also influenced by accidental decisions or unintended consequences, such as the availability of such hacking devices on the internet and the potential misuse of encryption technology for malicious purposes [42971]. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
development_incompetence |
(a) The software failure incident related to development incompetence can be seen in the article where it is mentioned that a £120 device called IP Box was able to easily hack into iPhones by cracking their four-digit passcodes [42971]. This incident highlights a security vulnerability in the iPhone system that allowed unauthorized access to private and confidential data stored on the devices. The fact that such a device was able to bypass the security measures of the iPhone raises concerns about the competence of the development team in ensuring robust security features to protect user data.
(b) The software failure incident related to accidental factors can be observed in the same article where it is mentioned that the IP Box, although not illegal, could potentially be used for illegal activities such as hacking into someone's iPhone, which would be a crime under the Data Protection Act 1998 [42971]. This accidental misuse of the device for criminal purposes underscores the unintended consequences that can arise from the availability of such technology, leading to potential security breaches and privacy violations. |
| Duration |
temporary |
(a) The software failure incident described in the articles is more likely to be temporary rather than permanent. The incident involved the use of a £120 device called an IP Box that could crack the passcode of iPhones by launching a 'brute force' attack on the password [42971]. This temporary failure was due to the specific circumstance of using the IP Box to exploit a vulnerability in the iPhone's security system, allowing unauthorized access to private and confidential data stored on the device. The incident was not a permanent failure introduced by all circumstances but rather a temporary failure caused by the specific exploitation of a security flaw. |
| Behaviour |
value, other |
(a) crash: The software failure incident described in the articles does not involve a crash where the system loses state and does not perform any of its intended functions.
(b) omission: The software failure incident does not involve the system omitting to perform its intended functions at an instance(s).
(c) timing: The software failure incident does not involve the system performing its intended functions correctly, but too late or too early.
(d) value: The software failure incident involves the system performing its intended functions incorrectly. Criminals were able to use a £120 device to crack the passcode of an Apple iPhone, gaining access to private and confidential details stored on the device [42971].
(e) byzantine: The software failure incident does not involve the system behaving erroneously with inconsistent responses and interactions.
(f) other: The software failure incident involves the system being vulnerable to hacking through the use of a device that can crack passcodes, potentially compromising the security and privacy of the device's data [42971]. |