Ethical Hacking News
Experts have discovered rogue devices, including hidden cellular radios, in Chinese-made power inverters used worldwide, raising concerns about the potential for remote disabling of power grids during conflicts. The discovery highlights the need for increased transparency and regulation in the industry, as well as greater oversight of manufacturers' disclosures.
Experts have discovered rogue devices, including hidden cellular radios, in Chinese-made power inverters used worldwide. Rogue devices could be remotely activated to shut off inverters, potentially causing widespread power disruptions. The discovery raises fears that China may have installed covert malware in critical energy infrastructure across the US and Europe. The lack of transparency from manufacturers has sparked concerns about oversight and regulation in the industry. Similar undocumented communication devices have been found in batteries from multiple Chinese suppliers. The discovery highlights the growing threat of state-sponsored cyberattacks and the need for increased vigilance.
In a shocking revelation, experts have discovered rogue devices, including hidden cellular radios, in Chinese-made power inverters used worldwide. This finding has sent shockwaves through the cybersecurity community, raising concerns about the potential for remote disabling of power grids during conflicts. The discovery was made by investigators who found "kill switches" in Chinese-made power inverters in US solar farm equipment.
According to reports, these hidden cellular radios could be remotely activated to shut off inverters, potentially causing widespread power disruptions. The discovery raises fears that China may have installed covert malware in critical energy infrastructure across the US and Europe, enabling remote attacks during conflicts. The fact that these devices were not listed in product documents and were only discovered after stripping down equipment for security issues is particularly alarming.
The existence of these rogue devices has been newly revealed, with no public US government acknowledgment. This lack of transparency has sparked concerns about the lack of oversight and regulation in the industry. The Department of Energy (DOE) has acknowledged the risks but faces challenges due to manufacturers' poor disclosure.
This is not an isolated incident. In the past nine months, experts have found undocumented communication devices like cellular radios in batteries from multiple Chinese suppliers. While the exact number of affected inverters and batteries is unknown, this raises serious concerns about the potential for widespread disruption.
The discovery has also been linked to a recent hacking campaign that successfully breached at least 16 Chrome browser extensions. This incident highlights the growing threat of state-sponsored cyberattacks and the need for increased vigilance in the cybersecurity community.
U.S. Representative August Pfluger, a Republican member of the Committee on Homeland Security, has expressed concerns about the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) increasing threats to US infrastructure. He stated that "the threat we face from the CCP is real and growing" and urged the need for increased efforts to show China that compromising US sensitive infrastructure will no longer be acceptable.
The discovery of these rogue devices in Chinese-made power inverters has significant implications for global cybersecurity. It highlights the need for increased transparency and regulation in the industry, as well as greater oversight of manufacturers' disclosures. The potential for remote disabling of power grids during conflicts is a serious concern that must be addressed urgently.
As the threat landscape continues to evolve, it is essential that policymakers, industry leaders, and individuals take action to mitigate these risks. This includes increasing awareness about the potential threats and vulnerabilities in critical energy infrastructure, as well as implementing robust security measures to prevent such incidents.
In conclusion, the discovery of rogue devices in Chinese-made power inverters is a wake-up call for the global community. It highlights the need for increased transparency, regulation, and oversight in the industry. As we move forward, it is essential that we prioritize cybersecurity and work together to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/Rogue-Devices-Lurk-in-the-Shadows-The-Hidden-Threat-of-Chinese-Made-Power-Inverters-ehn.shtml
https://securityaffairs.com/178005/hacking/rogue-devices-in-chinese-made-power-inverters-used-worldwide.html
Published: Sun May 18 05:10:38 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
