Using logical error detection in software controlling remote-terminal units to predict critical information infrastructures failures

Abstract

A method for predicting software failures to critical information infrastructures is presented in this paper. Software failures in critical infrastructures can stem from logical errors in the source code which manipulates controllers that handle machinery; i.e. Remote Terminal Units and Programmable Logic Controllers in SCADA systems. Since these controllers are often responsible for handling hardware in critical infrastructures, detecting such logical errors in the software controlling their functionality implies detecting possible failures in the machine itself and, consequently, predicting single or cascading infrastructure failures. Our method may also be tweaked to provide estimates of the impact and likelihood of each detected error. An existing source code analysis method is adjusted to analyze code able to send commands to SCADA systems. A practical implementation of the method is presented and discussed. Examples are given using open-source SCADA operating interfaces.