'Watching over the shoulder of a professional': Why Hackers Make Mistakes and How They Fix Them

Irina Ford, Ananta Soneji, Faris Bugra Kokulu, Jayakrishna Vadayath, Zion Leonahenahe Basque, Gaurav Vipat, Adam Doupé, Ruoyu Wang, Gail Joon Ahn, Tiffany Bao, Yan Shoshitaishvili

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

The complex and diverse nature of software systems necessitates a careful manual approach to unveil vulnerabilities, involving deep analysis, creative problem-solving, and specialized expertise. Like all complex tasks, it's susceptible to mistakes stemming from cognitive limitations and behavioral factors that hinder optimal performance. Although there are significant research efforts focused on vulnerability discovery, little attention has been given to comprehending mistakes within the process. Understanding these mistakes could pave the way for better-designed education programs and automated tools, aiming to mitigate and prevent potential mistakes and enhance the efficiency of vulnerability research.In this paper, we leverage social media, specifically YouTube, to examine mistakes made by security content creators exploiting vulnerabilities in CTF-style challenges. Analyzing 30 screencasts from 11 hackers, we identified 124 distinct issues and investigated their types, underlying causes, and time investments. Additionally, we delved into the cognitive and behavioral aspects associated with these issues.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings - 45th IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy, SP 2024
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages350-368
Number of pages19
ISBN (Electronic)9798350331301
DOIs
StatePublished - 2024
Event45th IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy, SP 2024 - San Francisco, United States
Duration: May 20 2024May 23 2024

Publication series

NameProceedings - IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy
ISSN (Print)1081-6011

Conference

Conference45th IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy, SP 2024
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco
Period5/20/245/23/24

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality
  • Software
  • Computer Networks and Communications

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