| Recurring |
one_organization, multiple_organization |
(a) The software failure incident related to the FBI using zero-day exploits to hack into systems and exploit software vulnerabilities has been reported in the news article [57649]. The FBI's use of zero-day exploits to take advantage of software flaws has been confirmed, indicating a recurring incident within the organization.
(b) The article mentions that the National Security Agency (NSA) also utilizes zero-day exploits, indicating that multiple organizations, including government agencies, are involved in using such hacking techniques. This suggests that the issue of exploiting software vulnerabilities is not limited to a single organization but extends to multiple entities, including state-sponsored hacking groups and organized crime rings. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design |
(a) The article discusses the use of zero-day exploits by the FBI, which are essentially taking advantage of flaws in common commercial software. These flaws are not fixed by the software manufacturers, leaving people vulnerable to hacks not just from law enforcement but also from cybercriminals [57649].
(b) The article mentions that the FBI's use of zero-day exploits has raised concerns about oversight on government hackers being too weak. Privacy advocates warn that federal judges may not fully understand the power of zero-day exploits, leading to potential misuse or unintended consequences in the operation of these hacking tools [57649]. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system, outside_system |
The software failure incident discussed in the articles is related to the use of zero-day exploits by the FBI. This incident can be categorized as follows:
(a) within_system: The failure is within the system as the FBI agents are using special hacking code to take advantage of known holes in software, which are flaws within common commercial software often used by the general public. This action leaves people vulnerable to hacks not just from law enforcement but also from cybercriminals [57649].
(b) outside_system: The failure is also influenced by factors outside the system as the FBI's use of zero-day exploits involves a trade-off between identifying threats to public safety and leaving people vulnerable to being hacked by not patching software holes. Additionally, the use of zero-day exploits by the FBI raises concerns about oversight on government hackers and the need for clearer policies and warrants for using such tools [57649]. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident occurring due to non-human actions:
The articles do not provide information about a software failure incident occurring due to non-human actions.
(b) The software failure incident occurring due to human actions:
The articles discuss the FBI's use of zero-day exploits, which are tools that take advantage of flaws in common commercial software. These exploits are used by FBI agents to further their investigations without informing software manufacturers about the vulnerabilities. This practice leaves the public vulnerable to hacks not just from law enforcement but also from cybercriminals [57649]. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
software |
(a) The articles do not provide information about a software failure incident occurring due to contributing factors originating in hardware. Hence, it is unknown.
(b) The articles discuss the use of zero-day exploits by the FBI, which can be considered a software failure incident due to contributing factors originating in software. Zero-day exploits take advantage of flaws in common commercial software, leaving people vulnerable to hacks not just from law enforcement but also from cybercriminals [57649]. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
malicious |
(a) The software failure incident discussed in the articles is related to malicious intent. Specifically, the FBI's use of zero-day exploits involves taking advantage of known security holes in software without informing the software manufacturers, leaving the public vulnerable to hacks not just from law enforcement but also from cybercriminals [57649]. This deliberate exploitation of software vulnerabilities for investigative purposes can be considered a malicious act as it exposes individuals to potential harm and unauthorized access to their systems. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
unknown |
The articles do not provide information about a software failure incident related to poor_decisions or accidental_decisions. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
unknown |
Unknown |
| Duration |
unknown |
The articles do not provide information about a software failure incident being either permanent or temporary. |
| Behaviour |
other |
(a) crash: The articles do not mention any specific software failure incident related to a crash where the system loses state and does not perform any of its intended functions.
(b) omission: The articles do not mention any specific software failure incident related to omission where the system omits to perform its intended functions at an instance(s).
(c) timing: The articles do not mention any specific software failure incident related to timing where the system performs its intended functions correctly but too late or too early.
(d) value: The articles do not mention any specific software failure incident related to value where the system performs its intended functions incorrectly.
(e) byzantine: The articles do not mention any specific software failure incident related to a byzantine failure where the system behaves erroneously with inconsistent responses and interactions.
(f) other: The articles discuss the controversial use of zero-day exploits by the FBI, which involves taking advantage of known flaws in software without informing the software manufacturers. This behavior could be considered a form of software failure as it leaves the public vulnerable to hacks not just from law enforcement but also from cybercriminals [57649]. |