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Researchers say a software security hole could allow attackers to cut power to cities or cause a nuclear power plant to malfunction by attacking the utility’s remote computer controls.

Experts with Boston-based Core Security Technologies discovered the deficiency and described it exclusively to The Associated Press before they issued a security advisory. They say there’s no evidence the flaw has been exploited.

Citect, which makes 1 of the programs, patched the hole last week. But the vulnerability could have counterparts in other so-called supervisory control and data acquisition systems.

For an attack to work, the target network would have to be connected to the Internet. While that goes against industry policy, it does happen if security is lax.

A rogue employee could also access the system.

Source