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U.S. Probes Gas-Station Tank Monitor Breaches, With Iran a Leading Suspect

Investigators warn that internet-exposed, password-free devices left fuel monitors open to easy abuse.

Overview

  • Hackers breached fuel-tank monitoring at gas stations in several states Friday, hitting automatic tank gauge systems that track levels and detect leaks.
  • The intruders accessed devices left online with no passwords and, in some cases, changed on-screen readings without altering the actual fuel inside tanks.
  • No physical damage has been reported, but false readings could hide a real gas leak and push station staff into slower manual checks that disrupt service.
  • Investigators consider Iran-linked actors the top suspect based on prior targeting, yet limited digital traces and an FBI no-comment leave blame unconfirmed.
  • Experts say the incidents reflect years of warnings about exposed industrial controls, citing a 2015 Trend Micro test and 2021 IRGC documents, as Iran-linked cyber activity has increased since late February.