Update MITM to Machine-in-the-Middle

[sushi2k]

This PR updates the term "Man-in-the-Middle" to "Machine-in-the-Middle" across the MASTG.

This change is part of a broader effort to remove gendered language from our documentation, following feedback we received some time ago. Our style guide now explicitly states that we should use gender-neutral terminology, and "man-in-the-middle" was one of the remaining terms that needed updating.

When evaluating alternatives, our primary goal was to maintain clear communication while also keeping the familiar acronym (MITM). We considered options like "adversary-in-the-middle" and "person-in-the-middle," but we wanted to preserve the "M" in MITM for consistency. Ultimately, we settled on "Machine-in-the-Middle" because, in most cases, even if an attack is orchestrated by a person, it is executed through a machine that intercepts communication.

To ensure clarity, we will continue to reference the original term but only in the definition of the MITM term.

[titze]

What is the reason for this change? I think MITM is a longstanding abbreviation, I wonder where the "machine" comes from?

[cpholguera]

@titze We made this change as part of a broader effort to remove gendered language from our documentation, following feedback we received some time ago. Our style guide now explicitly states that we should use gender-neutral terminology, and "man-in-the-middle" was one of the remaining terms that needed updating.

When evaluating alternatives, our primary goal was to maintain clear communication while also keeping the familiar acronym (MITM). We considered options like "adversary-in-the-middle" and "person-in-the-middle," but we wanted to preserve the "M" in MITM for consistency. Ultimately, we settled on "Machine-in-the-Middle" because, in most cases, even if an attack is orchestrated by a person, it is executed through a machine that intercepts communication. Also, to clarify, we didn't create the term, it is already being used in the community.

To ensure clarity, we will continue to reference the original term but only in the definition of the MITM term.

[titze]

@cpholguera thanks for the clarification!

Should we add a glossary somewhere, explaining this (maybe there are more cases like this)? I feel the classic definition of MITM is so widely used, that it will at least somewhat confuse people. Especially since it seems that machine-in-the-middle is used in some literature to clearly indicate that this is not a person, but some automated machine.