| Recurring |
one_organization, multiple_organization |
(a) The software failure incident having happened again at one_organization:
The article mentions that the hacking incident involving the theft of defense-related materials, including blueprints for F-15 fighter jet wings, occurred at two conglomerates, with more than 40,000 out of over 42,000 stolen materials being defense-related. One of the conglomerates affected was SK Holdings, with four group affiliates impacted by the hacking [45095].
(b) The software failure incident having happened again at multiple_organization:
The article highlights that the hacking incident targeted more than 140,000 computers at 160 South Korean firms and government agencies, indicating a widespread attack affecting multiple organizations. Additionally, the article mentions a previous cyber attack in 2013 against South Korean banks and broadcasters that froze computer systems for over a week, with the IP address traced to North Korea being identical to the one used in the 2013 attack [45095]. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design, operation |
(a) The software failure incident related to the design phase can be seen in the article where it mentions that North Korea hacked into more than 140,000 computers at 160 South Korean firms and government agencies by planting malicious code under a long-term plan laying groundwork for a massive cyber attack [45095]. This indicates a failure due to contributing factors introduced during the system development phase.
(b) The software failure incident related to the operation phase can be inferred from the article where it states that the hacking originated from an IP address traced to the North Korean capital and targeted network management software that is widely used by private companies and government agencies [45095]. This suggests a failure due to contributing factors introduced by the operation or misuse of the system. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system, outside_system |
(a) within_system: The software failure incident reported in the articles is primarily attributed to North Korea hacking into computers at South Korean firms and government agencies, planting malicious code as part of a long-term plan for a massive cyber attack [45095]. The hackers targeted network management software widely used by private companies and government agencies, gaining control of servers and computers at some corporate groups. The incident involved stealing information, including defense-related material, from two conglomerates, with more than 40,000 out of over 42,000 stolen materials being defense-related. The hackers waited after gaining control of systems, likely aiming to build the scale of a planned attack [45095].
(b) outside_system: The external factor contributing to the software failure incident is the malicious hacking activity orchestrated by North Korea against South Korean entities. The attack was part of a broader strategy by North Korea to cause confusion on a national scale, steal industrial and military secrets, and potentially launch a massive cyber attack. The incident is situated within the context of heightened tensions between North and South Korea following provocative actions by North Korea, such as nuclear tests and rocket launches, leading to increased vigilance against cyber attacks [45095]. |
| 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 cyber attack orchestrated by North Korea. The incident involved the hacking of more than 140,000 computers at 160 South Korean firms and government agencies, where malicious code was planted by the hackers [45095].
(b) Human actions also played a role in this software failure incident as the hackers, believed to be from North Korea, actively engaged in cyber attacks to steal information and disrupt systems. Additionally, the South Korean police and cyber investigation unit were involved in detecting and responding to the cyber attack, indicating human intervention in addressing the incident [45095]. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
software |
(a) The software failure incident in the articles was not attributed to hardware issues. The incident was specifically related to a cyber attack orchestrated by North Korea, where malicious code was planted in computers and servers at South Korean firms and government agencies [45095].
(b) The software failure incident was directly linked to software issues. North Korea hacked into over 140,000 computers, planting malicious code as part of a long-term plan for a massive cyber attack. The hackers targeted network management software widely used by private companies and government agencies, indicating that the failure originated in the software itself [45095]. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
malicious |
(a) The objective of the software failure incident was malicious, as North Korea hacked into more than 140,000 computers at 160 South Korean firms and government agencies with the intent to cause confusion on a national scale and steal industrial and military secrets for a planned cyber attack [45095]. The hackers planted malicious code under a long-term plan to lay the groundwork for a massive cyber attack against South Korea, indicating a deliberate intent to harm the systems and organizations targeted. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
poor_decisions |
(a) The intent of the software failure incident was related to poor_decisions. The North Korean hackers hacked into more than 140,000 computers at 160 South Korean firms and government agencies as part of a long-term plan laying groundwork for a massive cyber attack against South Korea [45095]. The hacking was aimed at causing confusion on a national scale and stealing industrial and military secrets, indicating a deliberate and strategic approach rather than accidental actions. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
development_incompetence, accidental |
(a) The software failure incident in the articles can be attributed to development incompetence as the North Korean hackers managed to hack into more than 140,000 computers at 160 South Korean firms and government agencies by planting malicious code under a long-term plan [Article 45095]. This indicates a lack of professional competence in securing the systems and networks of these organizations, leading to the successful cyber attack.
(b) The software failure incident can also be considered accidental as the hacking began in 2014 and was only detected in February, indicating that the malicious actors were able to operate undetected for a significant period of time [Article 45095]. This accidental failure to detect and prevent the cyber attack allowed the hackers to steal information and potentially prepare for a larger-scale attack. |
| Duration |
permanent |
(a) The software failure incident in the articles can be categorized as a permanent failure. The North Korean hackers planted malicious code in more than 140,000 computers at 160 South Korean firms and government agencies as part of a long-term plan laying groundwork for a massive cyber attack [45095]. The hacking began in 2014 and was detected in February, indicating a sustained and ongoing effort by the hackers to infiltrate and control the systems for an extended period of time. Additionally, the hackers stole a significant amount of information, including defense-related materials, over a period of time, showing a persistent and continuous breach of security measures. |
| Behaviour |
omission, value, other |
(a) crash: The software failure incident in the articles does not specifically mention a crash where the system loses state and does not perform any of its intended functions.
(b) omission: The incident involves the system omitting to perform its intended functions at an instance(s) by stealing information from two conglomerates, including defense-related material, and waiting without taking any action after gaining control of servers and computers at some corporate groups [45095].
(c) timing: The incident does not involve the system performing its intended functions correctly but too late or too early.
(d) value: The failure involves the system performing its intended functions incorrectly by stealing documents, including blueprints for the wings of F-15 fighter jets, and defense-related materials [45095].
(e) byzantine: The incident does not involve the system behaving erroneously with inconsistent responses and interactions.
(f) other: The other behavior in this software failure incident is related to a cyber attack orchestrated by North Korea, aiming to cause confusion on a national scale, continuously steal industrial and military secrets, and build the scale of a planned attack by hacking into more targets [45095]. |