A Pennsylvania water system has been hacked by an Iranian-backed group that left a message claiming all equipment made in Israel is a "legal target."
The Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa booster station was hacked on Saturday by a hacking group known as "Cyber Av3ngers."
The cyber-attack shut down a pump on a supply line that provides drinking water from the plant to Raccoon and Potter townships in Beaver County.
As soon as control of the station was taken over, an alarm sounded. A message from the group was also displayed across the system’s control panel. Every Equipment " Made In Israel " Is Cyber Av3ngers Legal Target! pic.twitter.com/UYMkX0FKREYou have been hacked. Down with Israel. Every equipment "Made in Israel" is Cyber Av3ngers legal target.
The hacked machine uses a Unitronics system, which has Israeli components.
— CyberAv3ngers (@CyberAveng3rs) November 26, 2023
The system was disabled by Aliquippa municipal workers and backup methods are now being used to maintain water pressure.
Matthew Mottes, the chairman of the board of directors for the Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa, told CBS News that there is no known risk to the drinking water or water supply.
The Pennsylvania State Police have launched an investigation into the incident.
Pennsylvania Congressman Chris Deluzio has also issued a statement saying that he is monitoring the situation.
"I am closely monitoring this cyberattack on the Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa," Deluzio wrote in a statement posted to Facebook. "My office is in touch with leadership, which reports that there has been no loss of water service for folks. Federal officials are assisting the investigation, and I remain ready to help with federal agencies."
Deluzio added, "Attacks on our critical infrastructure like water are unacceptable. I intend to push for a full investigation here and accountability for the attackers, and I will continue the important bipartisan work on the House Armed Services Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation (CITI) Subcommittee to shore up America's defenses." We (Cyber Av3ngers) have infiltrated to 10 Water treatment stations located in Hedera, Palmachim, Sorek, Ashkelon, Haifa, Chorazim, Kfar Haruv, Taberiye, Eilat and Daniyal.@CyberAveng3rs #CyberAv3ngers pic.twitter.com/bE8tFw8baa
— CyberAv3ngers (@CyberAveng3rs) October 30, 2023
On October 30, the hacking group claimed to have infiltrated ten water Israeli treatment stations located in Hedera, Palmachim, Sorek, Ashkelon, Haifa, Chorazim, Kfar Haruv, Taberiye, Eilat and Daniyal.
