I am a computer engineering student with interest in computer security. Ran across this piece of information:
"the Stuxnet worm that we discussed previously targets some specific industrial control system software as its key payload [CHEN11]. If control systems using certain Siemens industrial control software with a specific configuration of devices are infected, then the worm replaces the original control code with code that deliberately drives the controlled equipment outside its normal operating range, resulting in the failure of the attached equipment. The centrifuges used in the Iranian uranium enrichment program were strongly suspected as the target, with reports of much higher than normal failure rates observed in them over the period when this worm was active. As noted in our earlier discussion, this has raised concerns over the use of sophisticated targeted malware for industrial sabotage."
The angles of attack with malware are endless. In fact, it is possible for malware to already be existing in some of these systems waiting for the right moment.
"the Stuxnet worm that we discussed previously targets some specific industrial control system software as its key payload [CHEN11]. If control systems using certain Siemens industrial control software with a specific configuration of devices are infected, then the worm replaces the original control code with code that deliberately drives the controlled equipment outside its normal operating range, resulting in the failure of the attached equipment. The centrifuges used in the Iranian uranium enrichment program were strongly suspected as the target, with reports of much higher than normal failure rates observed in them over the period when this worm was active. As noted in our earlier discussion, this has raised concerns over the use of sophisticated targeted malware for industrial sabotage."
The angles of attack with malware are endless. In fact, it is possible for malware to already be existing in some of these systems waiting for the right moment.
