Adversaries may move onto systems, such as those separated from the enterprise network, by copying malware to removable media which is inserted into the control systems environment. The adversary may rely on unknowing trusted third parties, such as suppliers or contractors with access privileges, to introduce the removable media. This technique enables initial access to target devices that never connect to untrusted networks, but are physically accessible.

Operators of the German nuclear power plant, Gundremmingen, discovered malware on a facility computer not connected to the internet.^[1],[2] The malware included Conficker and W32.Ramnit, which were also found on eighteen removable disk drives in the facility.^{[3],[4],[5],[6],[7],[8]} The plant has since checked for infection and cleaned up more than 1,000 computers.^[9] An ESET researcher commented that internet disconnection does not guarantee system safety from infection or payload execution.^[10]

References

1. Kernkraftwerk Gundremmingen 2016, April 25 Detektion von Bro-Schadsoftware an mehreren Rechnern Retrieved. 2019/10/14
2. Trend Micro 2016, April 27 Malware Discovered in German Nuclear Power Plant Retrieved. 2019/10/14
3. Christoph Steitz, Eric Auchard 2016, April 26 German nuclear plant infected with computer viruses, operator says Retrieved. 2019/10/14
4. Catalin Cimpanu 2016, April 26 Malware Shuts Down German Nuclear Power Plant on Chernobyl's 30th Anniversary Retrieved. 2019/10/14
5. Peter Dockrill 2016, April 28 Multiple Computer Viruses Have Been Discovered in This German Nuclear Plant Retrieved. 2019/10/14
6. Lee Mathews 2016, April 27 German nuclear plant found riddled with Conficker, other viruses. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
7. Sean Gallagher 2016, April 27 German nuclear plants fuel rod system swarming with old malware Retrieved. 2019/10/14
8. Dark Reading Staff 2016, April 28 German Nuclear Power Plant Infected With Malware Retrieved. 2019/10/14
9. BBC 2016, April 28 German nuclear plant hit by computer viruses Retrieved. 2019/10/14
10. ESET 2016, April 28 Malware found at a German nuclear power plant Retrieved. 2019/10/14

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