The most concerning aspect of Iranian cyber operations involves their systematic targeting of operational technology networks and industrial control systems across multiple critical infrastructure sectors. When targeting operational technology environments, attackers utilize specialized system engineering and diagnostic tools to compromise critical infrastructure components including programmable logic controllers, human machine interfaces, and third-party monitoring systems. The threat actors demonstrated advanced understanding of industrial processes, using legitimate system engineering tools to maintain persistence within operational technology environments while avoiding detection by traditional cybersecurity monitoring systems. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), along with the FBI, Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center, and National Security Agency, has issued an urgent warning regarding potential cyber attacks by Iranian-affiliated actors targeting U.S. critical infrastructure. Iranian cyber groups have demonstrated a consistent pattern of exploiting vulnerable systems through sophisticated attack vectors that leverage both technical vulnerabilities and social engineering tactics. Between November 2023 and January 2024, Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-affiliated actors conducted a global campaign against Israeli-manufactured programmable logic controllers and human machine interfaces, resulting in dozens of compromised U.S. victims across water and wastewater, energy, food and beverage manufacturing, and healthcare sectors. Despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations and diplomatic efforts, these threat actors continue to pose significant risks to American networks and systems, particularly those within the Defense Industrial Base sector. These malicious actors routinely target poorly secured networks and internet-connected devices, focusing on systems with unpatched software containing known Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) or devices protected only by default manufacturer passwords. Recent campaigns demonstrate the evolving sophistication of Iranian cyber operations, with attackers conducting coordinated hack-and-leak operations combined with information warfare tactics. CISA analysts identified that these threat actors have increasingly focused on Defense Industrial Base companies, particularly those maintaining relationships or holdings with Israeli research and defense organizations. These attacks specifically exploited internet-connected industrial control systems that utilized factory-default passwords or remained completely unprotected, accessing systems through default Transmission Control Protocol ports. With years of experience under his belt in Cyber Security, he is covering Cyber Security News, technology and other news.
This Cyber News was published on cybersecuritynews.com. Publication date: Tue, 01 Jul 2025 07:30:14 +0000