Security News > 2021 > October > Cyberattack Cripples Iranian Fuel Distribution Network

An attack on the fuel distribution chain in Iran reportedly forced the shutdown of a network of filling stations Tuesday, leaving motorists stranded at pumps across the country and unable to fill up their tanks.

The incident disabled government-issued electronic cards providing subsidies that many Iranians use to purchase fuel at discounted prices, according to a report in The Times of Israel, which said that the Iran Supreme National Security Council confirmed the attack.

The filling stations targeted in the attack belong to the National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company, which has more than 3,500 stations across Iran and has been supplying oil products for more than 80 years, according to another report in BleepingComputer.

For avid readers, this should be a throwback to the Iranian railway systems attack in July where the attackers also directed calls to 64411, the Office of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei' #MeteorExpress pic.

Though little is known about the attack details or its perpetrator, experts said it once again highlights how vulnerable critical infrastructure is to cyber attacks, which can spread ripples that disrupt everyday life.

Given this potential and the fallout already seen from some high-profile attacks recently - including May's attack on Colonial Pipeline and several recent attacks on food distribution companies - critical infrastructure appears to be more vulnerable than enterprise networks, added another security expert.

News URL

https://threatpost.com/cyberattack-cripples-iranian-fuel-distribution-network/175794/