Survivability as a Tool for Evaluating Open Source Software

Abstract

This thesis explores the application of traditional survivability analysis to the open source software (OSS) development process. It postulates that combat systems face potential threats from cyber warfare professionals aiming to manipulate software embedded in the systems. The research highlights current Department of Defense (DOD) interest in OSS, and explains a method for evaluating the capability of OSS programs to withstand cyber warfare attacks. Survivability concepts are demonstrated in a scenario involving an adversary inserting malicious code into the source repository of FlightGear, an open source flight simulator. Analysis is conducted on five open source programs to illustrate commonality in the evaluation process. It is determined that survivability analysis is a feasible method for OSS software evaluation, and could be used as a tool to compare OSS alternatives.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2015
Accession Number
ADA632317

Entities

People

  • David J. Cummings

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Autonomy
  • Biomedical
  • Cyber
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Computer Program Documentation
  • Computer Program Reliability
  • Computer Programming
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Control Systems
  • Fighter Aircraft
  • Ground Control Stations
  • Information Systems
  • Operating Systems
  • Spreadsheet Software
  • System Software
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Unmanned Aerial Systems
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
  • Web Browsers

Fields of Study

  • Computer science
  • Engineering

Readers

  • Agent-Based Social Robotics and Mobile-Assisted Learning in Virtual Environments.
  • Military Science and Technology Research and Modernization.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Cyber