Vulnerabilities in Fuel Gauge Systems Threaten Energy Industry Security
Understanding the Vulnerabilities in Energy Industry Fuel Gauges
Recently, researchers from BitSight Technologies revealed that thousands of automatic tank gauge (ATG) systems in gas stations, airports, and power plants are vulnerable and exposed to the internet. These systems, crucial for monitoring fuel levels and detecting leaks, are operating with insecure legacy protocols. This oversight opens doors for hackers to manipulate tank configurations, potentially causing hazardous fuel leaks.
Critical Vulnerability Findings
The BitSight report highlighted 11 significant vulnerabilities in six common ATG models from five manufacturers. Key vulnerabilities identified include OS command injections, authentication bypasses, and SQL injections. Advisories from the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have been issued to raise awareness among operators.
Consequences of Vulnerabilities
- Exploitation of these vulnerabilities could lead to:
- Disabling essential safety alarms.
- Gaining administrator access to management interfaces.
- Potential physical damage to tank systems and peripheral devices.
Lack of Robust Security Practices
Despite the known risks, these vulnerabilities remain unaddressed, indicating a need for improved security measures in the energy sector. Implementing standard security coding practices could significantly reduce the risk of entire classes of vulnerabilities.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.