Iranian Cyber Threats Targeting Critical Infrastructure: What You Need to Know

In today’s interconnected world, critical infrastructure systems—such as energy grids, water treatment plants, and manufacturing facilities—are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks. Recently, several U.S. government agencies issued an urgent warning about Iranian threat actors targeting these vital systems. With geopolitical tensions rising after U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, the risk of retaliatory cyber operations against American and allied infrastructure has become a serious concern. This article explores the latest developments in Iranian cyber threats, highlights the risks for industrial control systems (ICS) and operational technology (OT), and provides insights into how organizations can better protect themselves.

Understanding the Iranian Cyber Threat Landscape

On June 22, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a warning about Iran’s probable retaliatory cyberattacks following U.S. military actions targeting Iranian nuclear facilities. This threat extends beyond physical retaliation into the cyber realm, where Iranian and affiliated hacker groups are known to deploy ransomware, phishing campaigns, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, brute force intrusions, and espionage.

One of the most alarming targets are industrial control systems (ICS) and operational technology (OT), which manage critical infrastructure such as power plants, water facilities, and manufacturing lines. A recent joint fact sheet by CISA, FBI, NSA, and the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center (DC3) highlights the potential risks to U.S. defense and research organizations—especially those connected to Israeli firms.

A notable group known as Cyber Av3ngers has focused on exploiting vulnerabilities in programmable logic controllers (PLCs), such as Unitronics Vision devices used in water treatment. However, their attacks have expanded into sectors including energy, food and beverage manufacturing, and healthcare.

Security firm Censys conducted a comprehensive scan of ICS products commonly targeted by Iranian hackers. Their research revealed that many systems remain dangerously exposed on the internet, often using default or weak passwords. Devices such as Unitronics PLCs, Orpak SiteOmat fuel station automation software, Red Lion devices, and the Tridium Niagara framework have all been identified as vulnerable.

Alarmingly, despite increased awareness, the number of exposed ICS devices has risen by 4% to 9% over the last six months, with Orpak SiteOmat being a rare exception, showing a 25% reduction in exposure. Australia and the U.S. host the highest numbers of vulnerable Unitronics devices, while the U.S. dominates exposure counts for the other products.

While Iranian cyberattacks on ICS often exploit low-hanging fruit—systems with weak or default credentials—the potential impact remains severe, including operational disruption and data theft. Censys urges manufacturers to eliminate default passwords and improve security guidance, while CISA recommends organizations review mitigation strategies proactively.

What Undercode Say: Analyzing the Iranian ICS Cyber Threat

The escalating cyber threat posed by Iran to critical infrastructure highlights a broader problem in the cybersecurity landscape: the persistent exposure of ICS and OT devices online without adequate protection. These systems are often legacy technologies not designed with modern cybersecurity in mind, making them particularly susceptible to exploitation.

Iranian threat actors appear to be capitalizing on this vulnerability by launching attacks that don’t always require sophisticated tools. Instead, they focus on exploiting publicly accessible devices protected only by default credentials or weak passwords—a glaring oversight by organizations managing these assets.

From an analytical perspective, the fact that the exposure of vulnerable ICS devices has increased over the last six months is concerning. This trend suggests a lag in industry-wide cybersecurity awareness and implementation of best practices. The reduction in exposure for the Orpak SiteOmat software might indicate some progress, but it’s an outlier amid a general upward trend.

Moreover, the targeting of sectors like energy, water, food, and healthcare aligns with Iran’s strategic interests, as disruptions in these areas can cause widespread societal impact and economic damage. The involvement of defense-related entities, especially those linked with Israeli firms, underscores the geopolitical dimension of these cyber threats.

It’s also significant that Iranian hackers are using advanced resources like ChatGPT to gather information on control systems, as reported in October 2024. This indicates an evolution in their tactics, leveraging AI to study and exploit vulnerabilities more effectively.

Organizations must recognize that their cybersecurity posture cannot rely solely on reactive measures or hope that attacks won’t happen. Proactive hardening of systems, including removing default credentials, segmenting networks, and monitoring for suspicious activity, is critical.

Manufacturers have a key role to play by designing ICS and OT devices with built-in security features and providing clear guidance for safe deployment. Industry collaboration, information sharing, and public-private partnerships are essential to stay ahead of evolving threats.

As geopolitical tensions persist, the risk of disruptive cyber campaigns remains high. Thus, vigilance and preparedness must be priorities for all stakeholders in the critical infrastructure ecosystem.

Fact Checker Results ✅❌

✅ Multiple U.S. government agencies confirm increased Iranian cyber threat activity targeting ICS and OT.
✅ Exposure of vulnerable industrial control devices on the internet has increased by 4-9% in the last six months.
❌ There is currently no confirmed evidence of a coordinated large-scale Iranian cyberattack campaign in the U.S.

Prediction 🔮

Given the geopolitical climate and ongoing vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure, it’s likely that Iranian threat actors will continue probing and exploiting exposed ICS and OT systems. The trend of opportunistic attacks exploiting weak defenses is expected to rise, especially targeting sectors with significant strategic importance like energy, water, and defense.

However, with increasing awareness and implementation of security best practices, including elimination of default passwords and improved device hardening, some reduction in exposure and attack success rates can be anticipated in the next 12 months.

Public-private collaboration and advanced threat intelligence sharing will be crucial in mitigating risks. Organizations that invest now in comprehensive cybersecurity frameworks for ICS and OT will be better positioned to withstand or repel future attacks. Failure to act may lead to more frequent disruptions and potential physical consequences, reinforcing the urgent need for proactive defense.