Security News > 2023 > December > Hacktivists boast: We shut down Iran's gas pumps today

Hacktivists reportedly disrupted services at about 70 percent of Iran's gas stations in a politically motivated cyberattack.

Iran's oil minister Javad Owji confirmed on Monday the IT systems of the nation's petrol stations had been attacked as Iranian media told of long queues at the pumps and traffic jams - particularly in Tehran - as folks tried and failed to fill up.

Iran has accused the gang, which has also carried out cyberattacks on Iranian railway systems and a steel plant, of having ties to Israel.

After the digital intrusion into the Iranian steel plant's network in July 2022, which also caused a serious fire, Itay Cohen, head of cyber research at Check Point Software, told the BBC that "Given their sophistication, and their high impact, we believe that the group is either operated, or sponsored by, a nation state" - contrary to the crew's claim to be simple hacktivists.

The cyberassault comes as pro-Hamas crews linked to Iran have increased their digital disruptions on Israeli and American targets - including targeting water facilities in both countries.

The Israel National Cyber Directorate blamed Iran and Hezbollah for a cyberattack last month against Safed's Ziv Medical Center.

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2023/12/18/hacktivists_shut_down_irans_petrol/