F-Secure, an anti-virus and computer security software company, reportedly received an unsolicited email over the weekend from a purported scientist working at the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI). The scientist told F-Secure that their Iranian nuclear systems were struck once again by another cyber attack. F-Secure notes that they cannot confirm the veracity of the email, although they can confirm that the email was sent from within the AEOI. The malware reportedly attacked and brought down the AEOI’s automation network and its Siemens hardware systems. Interestingly, the scientist also said that, for some reason, some of the AEOI’s workstations were playing AC/DC’s Thunderstruck during night time with the volume maxed out. Check out the statement sent to F-Secure after the break.
I am writing you to inform you that our nuclear program has once again been compromised and attacked by a new worm with exploits which have shut down our automation network at Natanz and another facility Fordo near Qom.
According to the email our cyber experts sent to our teams, they believe a hacker tool Metasploit was used. The hackers had access to our VPN. The automation network and Siemens hardware were attacked and shut down. I only know very little about these cyber issues as I am a scientist not a computer expert.
There was also some music playing randomly on several of the workstations during the middle of the night with the volume maxed out. I believe it was playing ‘Thunderstruck’ by AC/DC.