Iran-Linked Hackers Target U.S. Critical Infrastructure, Disrupting Operations
Iran-linked hackers have been identified as targeting critical infrastructure organizations in the United States, specifically focusing on industrial control systems (ICS) and operational technology (OT). According to a joint advisory from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the FBI, and other agencies, these hackers have exploited vulnerabilities in programmable logic controllers (PLCs) from companies like Rockwell Automation and Siemens. The attacks have led to operational disruptions and financial losses by tampering with human-machine interfaces (HMIs) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. The targeted sectors include government services, water, and energy. The advisory highlights the use of legitimate programming software, such as Rockwell’s Studio 5000 Logix Designer, to manipulate control systems, posing significant risks to operational safety and integrity.