The malware toolkit, known as Pipedream, is perhaps the most versatile tool ever made to target critical infrastructure like power grids and oil refineries.
target industrial control systems like power grids, factories, water utilities, and oil refineries represents a rare species of digital badness. So when the United States government warns of a piece of code built to target not just one of those industries, but potentially all of them, critical infrastructure owners worldwide should take notice.
"This is the most expansive industrial control system attack tool that anyone has ever documented," says Sergio Caltagirone, the vice president of threat intelligence at industrial-focused cybersecurity firm Dragos, which contributed research to the advisory and. Researchers at Mandiant, Palo Alto Networks, Microsoft, and Schneider Electric also contributed to the advisory. “It’s like a Swiss Army knife with a huge number of pieces to it.
The CISA advisory refers to an unnamed “APT actor” that developed the malware toolkit, using the common acronym APT to mean advanced persistent threat, a term for state-sponsored hacker groups.
While the toolkit's adaptability means it could be used against practically any industrial environment, from manufacturing to water treatment, Dragos points out that the apparent focus on Schneider Electric and OMRON PLCs does suggest that the hackers may have built it with power grid and oil refineries—particularly liquified natural gas facilities—in mind, given Schneider's wide use in electric utilities and OMRON's broad adoption in the oil and gas sector.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Gilbert Gottfried’s Twitter allegedly hacked hours after death announcementA Twitter user whose handle was associated with the hack tells Page Six his friends did the hacking and that he asked them for a shout-out.
Read more »
A’s comebacks for naught as Tampa Bay wins 9-8 in 10 inningsA’s get off to good start, falter, then rally for the tie and lead before losing to Rays in 10th
Read more »
Former A’s skipper Bob Melvin still getting his bearings with PadresFormer A’s manager Bob Melvin is getting used to new colors, a new league and different ways of doing things with the San Diego Padres.
Read more »
White Sox Trade Rumors: A's Want Andrew Vaughn for Frankie MontasTony La Russa’s starting rotation is down Lucas Giolito and Lance Lynn, but Vaughn figures to be a big hitter for the Sox for years to come.
Read more »
A’s, Blackburn hand Tampa Bay its first loss of seasonA’s hit four home runs in their lopsided win, including Sheldon Neuse’s grand slam off Rays’ Brett Phillips.
Read more »