U.S. cybersecurity experts claim that an Iranian-affiliated hacking gang is “actively targeting and compromising” a number of U.S. institutions because they are employing an Israeli-made computer system.
The hackers, also known as “CyberAv3ngers,” have been entering TV displays with the phrase “You have been hacked, down with Israel. Every equipment ‘made in Israel’ is CyberAv3ngers legal target.” according to a report released by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) on Friday.
Cyberattacks were reported in several states. The devices in question, “Unitronics Vision Series programmable logic controllers,” are mostly utilized in water and wastewater systems, but they also pose a threat to businesses in the energy, food and beverage, and healthcare sectors.
The number of organizations compromised was not disclosed by the EPA; nevertheless, CNN revealed on Friday that “less than 10” water facilities nationwide had been compromised.
The compromised equipment had to be temporarily disabled, but the Aliquippa water authority informed the public that the drinking water is safe. Nonetheless, the event demonstrated how susceptible the country’s vital infrastructure is to cyberattacks, even if it did not seriously interrupt the water supply.
In a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland on Tuesday, state senators John Fetterman, Bob Casey, and congressman Chris Deluzio stated, “If a hack like this can happen here in Western Pennsylvania, it can happen elsewhere in the United States.” The Justice Department was asked by the congressmen “to conduct a full investigation and hold those responsible accountable.”
