Subj : Iranian petrol stations targeted in controlled cyberattack
To   : All
From : TechnologyDaily
Date : Tue Dec 19 2023 10:00:06

Iranian petrol stations targeted in controlled cyberattack

Date:
Tue, 19 Dec 2023 09:54:30 +0000

Description:
Predatory Sparrow has struck again, with Iran claiming Israel was behind the 
attack.

FULL STORY
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Irans fuel supply has been targeted in a cyberattack that affected around 70% 
of the country's petrol stations. 

The Iranian government has accused a cyber group known as Predatory Sparrow 
of being behind the attack, and alleges that the group has ties to Israel. 

Israeli media also reported that the group was behind the attack, but a 
government spokesperson, Tal Heinrich, commented at a press briefing that, We 
have nothing to say about Irans claims. Attack carried out in a controlled 
manner 

The group claiming to be behind the attack released a comment via Telegram 
stating that, the cyberattack was carried out in a controlled manner to avoid 
potential damage to emergency services. 

The Iranian Oil Minister, Javad Owji, said that of the 3,800 petrol stations 
the ministry is responsible for, only 1,650 were operational. Many of Irans 
petrol stations were able to continue supplying fuel to customers manually, 
as the attack specifically targeted software associated with the pumps. 

Predatory Sparrow also commented on the attack via Twitter, noting as with 
some of its previous "operations", this cyberattack, "was conducted in a 
controlled manner while taking measures to limit potential damage to 
emergency services, adding that it had delivered warnings to emergency 
services across the country before the operation began. 

Speaking to TechRadar Pro, Semperis Director of Security Research Yossi 
Rachman said, From what I have observed and reviewed thus far from the 
Predatory Sparrow groups various communications channels, they compromised at 
least one server through-which they took control of Iran's gas stations 
central management system, by compromising the technical support or other 
administrative privileged accounts within the system and have been able to 
obtain sensitive gas station data & payment details. 

Critical infrastructure has become an increasingly important strategic target 
for state-sponsored cyber groups, with the US suffering a number of attacks 
allegedly orchestrated by groups backed by China and Iran , and China itself 
alleging that foreign software is deliberately gathering sensitive geographic 
information about its transport infrastructure and military. 

 Via Reuters . More from TechRadar Pro Sellafield nuclear site compromised by 
Russian and Chinese hackers Here is our guide to the best malware removal 
software National Grid drops Chinese tech supplier over cybersecurity fears



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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/pro/iranian-petrol-stations-targeted-in-controlled-c
yberattack


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