Hackers Plan Attacks On Key US Industrial Control Systems

Hackers have developed new custom tools to gain full system access to a number of industrial control system (ICS) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) devices, according to the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). 

The Department of Energy, US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the NSA, and FBI urged critical infrastructure operators to upgrade the security of these devices and networks in a joint cyber security advisory notice. 

"The APT actors have developed custom-made tools for targeting ICS/SCADA devices," the multiple US agencies said in an alert. "The tools enable them to scan for, compromise, and control affected devices once they have established initial access to the operational technology (OT) network." the notice said. 

One of the cyber security firms involved, Mandiant, said in a report that the tools’ functionality was “consistent with the malware used in Russia’s prior physical attacks” though it acknowledged that the evidence linking it to Moscow is “largely circumstantial”.

This warning states that certain advanced persistent threat actors have developed new custom tools that have the capability to gain full system access to multiple industrial control system (ICS)/supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) devices, including:   

  • OMRON Sysmac NEX PLCs
  • Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture (OPC UA) servers.

The custom tools are designed to target programmable logic controllers from large companies such as Schneider Electric. CISA says the tools allow for "highly automated exploits" against targeted devices,  although CISA does say there is a low risk that the tools will lead to highly automated exploits against devices in the critical infrastructure sector being targeted. 

The agencies are urging organisations to "isolate ICS/SCADA systems and networks from corporate and Internet networks using strong perimeter controls, and limit any communications entering or leaving ICS/SCADA perimeters."  They also recommend using multi-factor authentication for remote access to ICS networks and devices, to change all passwords to them regularly, and remove all default passwords.   

Security firm Dragos, which specialises in ICS, has named one of the new custom tools 'Pipedream' and say this is the seventh such ICS specific malware they have seen. Dragos has traced the tool back to an advanced persistent threat actor called Chevronite. Mandiant has named the malware INCONTROLLER after working with Schneider Electric to analyse it.

The government agencies are urging critical infrastructure organisations, particularly those in the energy sector, to put in place recommended detection and mitigation processes, including using strong perimeter controls to isolate ICS and SCADA system and networks from corporate and Internet networks and limit communications entering or leaving those perimeters. They also recommend using multifactor authentication for remote access to ICS networks and devices.

Along with isolating ICS and SCADA systems and leveraging multifactor authentication, the US agencies also are recommending such steps as having a cyber-incident plan in place. Also, they advise users to change all passwords and use strong passwords, maintain backups, implementing strong log collection and retention from ICS and SCADA systems and ensuring that applications are installed only when necessary for operation. 

CISA:    Reuters:      InfoSec Today:     Guardian:     Oodaloop:     ZDNet:     The Register:   The Hackers News:

You Might Also Read:   

Operating Technology Security Issues Are Increasing:
 

« Pegasus Spyware Used To Target British Prime Minister
The Vital Importance Of Pen Testing »

Infosecurity Europe
CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

BackupVault

BackupVault

BackupVault is a leading provider of automatic cloud backup and critical data protection against ransomware, insider attacks and hackers for businesses and organisations worldwide.

MIRACL

MIRACL

MIRACL provides the world’s only single step Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) which can replace passwords on 100% of mobiles, desktops or even Smart TVs.

CYRIN

CYRIN

CYRIN® Cyber Range. Real Tools, Real Attacks, Real Scenarios. See why leading educational institutions and companies in the U.S. have begun to adopt the CYRIN® system.

Syxsense

Syxsense

Syxsense brings together endpoint management and security for greater efficiency and collaboration between IT management and security teams.

North Infosec Testing (North IT)

North Infosec Testing (North IT)

North IT (North Infosec Testing) are an award-winning provider of web, software, and application penetration testing.

Kore Telematics

Kore Telematics

Kore is a leading managed service provider for IoT and M2M applications.

Certes

Certes

Certes is a pioneer in delivering cutting-edge security technology solutions, with a specific focus on Data Protection Risk Mitigation (DPRM).

EuroISPA

EuroISPA

EuroISPA is a pan European association of European Internet Services Providers Associations and the world’s largest association of ISPs.

Exida

Exida

Exida is a leading product certification and knowledge company specializing in industrial automation system safety, security, and availability.

Fox-IT

Fox-IT

Fox-IT prevents, solves and mitigates the most serious cyber threats with smart solutions for governmental bodies, defense, law enforcement, critical infrastructure, banking and large enterprises.

Cloudentity

Cloudentity

Cloudentity combines Identity for all things with API and Application security in a unique deployment model, combining cloud-transformation and legacy systems.

Jooble

Jooble

Jooble is a job search aggregator operating in 71 countries worldwide. We simplify the job search process by displaying active job ads from major job boards and career sites across the internet.

Savanti Consulting

Savanti Consulting

Savanti provides practitioner-led cyber security services tailored to meet each organisation’s unique requirements.

State Service of Special Communications & Information Protection of Ukraine (SSSCIP)

State Service of Special Communications & Information Protection of Ukraine (SSSCIP)

State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection is the technical security and intelligence service of Ukraine, under the control of the President of Ukraine.

Torq

Torq

Torq's no-code automation modernizes how security & operations teams work with easy workflow building, limitless integrations and numerous pre-built templates.

AB Handshake

AB Handshake

AB Handshake offers a game-changing solution for telecom service providers that eliminates fraud on inbound and outbound voice traffic.

Resilience Cyber insurance

Resilience Cyber insurance

Resilience helps to improve cyber resilience by connecting cyber insurance coverage with advanced cybersecurity visibility and a shared plan to reinforce great cyber hygiene.

RightCue Assurance

RightCue Assurance

RightCue Assurance identify opportunities for improvement in the Information Security for your organisation and work with you to reduce cyber risk.

TrueBees

TrueBees

TrueBees is the first deepfakes detector able to detect AI-generated portraits shared on social media and to prevent their diffusion across the web.

ABPCyber

ABPCyber

ABPCyber offers holistic cybersecurity solutions spanning DevSecOps, advisory and consultancy, designing and integration, managed operations, and cybersecurity investment optimization.

Toro Solutions

Toro Solutions

Toro provide managed security & consultancy to keep governments, businesses & society resilient in the space where cyber, physical & people security converge.