ESET Presents Industroyer Findings at Black Hat 2017
Created: 2017-07-26 07:24:43
Las Vegas, NV - The world’s largest information security event, Black Hat, taking place in Las Vegas this week, today hosted one of the most anticipated main-stage panels at the conference. Security experts presented on their findings of a dangerous piece of malware designed to disrupt industrial control systems, one of the only known cyber threats targeting electrical substation switches and circuit breakers.
The malware was dubbed “Industroyer” by IT security firm ESET, which first discovered and published the groundbreaking research in June 2017. Today, a packed room full of security experts, media and industry professionals attended the first live presentation since the discovery.
“On December 17, 2016, there was yet another blackout in Ukraine, and we started analyzing this malware,” said ESET Senior Malware Researcher Robert Lipovsky. “We quickly got a sense of déjà vu, as we had seen similarities to the BlackEnergy malware, which caused a power outage in Ukraine nearly a year to the day before.”
ESET first began performing its analysis of the malware after a set of cyberattacks widely believed to have caused a massive blackout in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev in December 2016. The discovery went viral when published in June, and prompted attention and action for government officials and utility companies around the world.
“It’s clear the attackers did their homework,” said ESET Senior Malware Researcher Robert Lipovsky. ESET posted more technical details on Industroyer’s OPC Data Acess IDAPython script on Github.
Also on the panel were industrial-control experts from security firm Dragos, who shared their perspective and warned of the implications and dangers of this destructive malware.
The researchers reminded us that cyber criminals and cyber espionage groups’ hacking tactics are becoming more advanced.
“If it’s connected, they will find a way in,” noted Lipovsky in his finishing remarks. “If this is not a wakeup call, I don’t know what is.”
About ESET
ESET®, the pioneer of proactive protection and the maker of the award-winning ESET NOD32® technology, is a global provider of security solutions for businesses and consumers. For over 26 years, the Company continues to lead the industry in proactive threat detection. By obtaining the 80th VB100 award in June 2013, ESET NOD32 technology holds the record number of Virus Bulletin "VB100” Awards, and has never missed a single “In-the-Wild” worm or virus since the inception of testing in 1998. In addition, ESET NOD32 technology holds the longest consecutive string of the VB100 awards of any AV vendor. ESET has also received a number of accolades from AV-Comparatives, AV-TEST and other testing organisations and reviews. ESET NOD32® Antivirus, ESET Smart Security®, ESET Cyber Security® (solution for Mac), ESET® Mobile Security and IT Security for Business are trusted by millions of global users and are among the most recommended security solutions in the world.
ESET recently updated its two-factor authentication (2FA) application, adding a secure validation to weak and static user passwords. This updated version of ESET’s 2FA application provides flexibility and deeper integration of 2FA into bespoke applications, making it the best cost-effective solutions for SMBs everywhere.
The Company has global headquarters in Bratislava (Slovakia), with regional distribution centers in San Diego (U.S.), Buenos Aires (Argentina), and Singapore; with offices in Jena (Germany), Prague (Czech Republic) and Sao Paulo (Brazil). ESET has malware research centers in Bratislava, San Diego, Buenos Aires, Singapore, Prague, Košice (Slovakia), Krakow (Poland), Montreal (Canada), Moscow (Russia) and an extensive partner network for more than 180 countries. For more information visit https://eset.version-2.sg/ or follow us on Facebook.
About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Limited is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. Headquartered in Hong Kong, the Company develops and distributes IT products for Internet and IP-based networks, including communication systems, Internet software, security, network, and media products. Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 Limited offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which includes Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.
For more information, please visit www.version-2.com.sg or call (65) 6296-4268.
Join ESET at Facebook