From Russia, With Malware? Tesla Thwarts Cyber Attack

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

A criminal complaint filed this week details a very Cold War-like plot to cripple Tesla from the inside. Federal prosecutors and the automaker claim a Russian “tourist” attempted to coerce an employee of Tesla’s Nevada Gigafactory to infect the company’s system with malware, and in doing so receive a payment of $1 million.

The employee reportedly turned down the offer and squealed on the so-called tourist, leading to an FBI sting operation — as well as this week’s criminal complaint.

As reported by Ars Technica, the criminal complaint filed Tuesday claims Egor Igorevich Kriuchkov traveled from Russia and met up with an unnamed employee of the Gigafactory, initially offering $500,000 for the malware job.

“The purpose of the conspiracy was to recruit an employee of a company to surreptitiously transmit malware provided by the coconspirators into the company’s computer system, exfiltrate data from the company’s network, and threaten to disclose the data online unless the company paid the coconspirators’ ransom demand,” the complaint reads.

Prosecutors claim Kriuchkov plied the employee with booze and chose to discus the most sensitive matters pertaining to the plot while inside a rented car. While the complaint only lists the chosen target as “Company A,” Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed via Twitter on Thursday that his company was that target, calling it “a serious attack.”

According to an audio recording made by the employee, the defendant claimed to be working for a “group” that supplied the money.

Industrial espionage is nothing new, but the connected, perhaps overly technical world we live in makes cyber attacks all the more damaging. There’s also an open question of exactly what kind of damage a malware attack on Tesla’s digital infrastructure could yield. Could it have placed Tesla drivers — especially those who make use of the automaker’s Autopilot driver-assist system — in harm’s way? Tesla and Musk aren’t saying.

[Image: IIHS]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Slavuta Slavuta on Aug 28, 2020

    That day my father and I relaxed on the bench in the park while enjoying the British air of freedom. Suddenly our attention was drawn to a man who was coming towards us from the other side of the alley. Something was strange about him. Possibly T-shirt with letters FSB on the chest, possibly gas mask, but may be - a hat with the ear flaps. In his hand he had an aerosol canister, like the one from deodorant, which had a label - "Gas. Novichok. Liquid for neutralizing of traitors". When he came really close, he said, "Putin has sent you a message, rat!" and sprayed aerosol liquid straight into my father's face. We started having shortness of breath and man in a gas mask started to sing Russian Federation anthem. But he couldn't finish. We've heard a honk from the standing van and a yell - "Dmitry, quick, I am being late for meeting with Trump". A man in the mask yelled back - "ok, ok, Vladimir Vladimirovich" and quickly retreated towards the van.

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    • Art Vandelay Art Vandelay on Aug 29, 2020

      @Lou_BC Most large companies whitelist now. I'd be shocked if Tesla doesn't. Even the government manages to implement it. Application blacklisting is fairly useless.

  • Inside Looking Out Inside Looking Out on Aug 28, 2020

    It is another reason to defund FBI. FBI agents must be kinder and more caring about poor people. Poor Egor was just trying to do his job and feed his family.

  • Analoggrotto TTAC is full of drug addicts with short memories. Just beside this article is another very beautiful article about how the EV9 was internationally voted by a renowned board of automotive experts who are no doubt highly educated, wealthy and affluent; the best vehicle in entire world. That's planet earth for you numbskulls. Let me repeat: the best vehicle in the world is the Kia EV9. Voted, and sealed, and if you try to deny it Fanny Willis is ready to prosecute you; but she will send her boyfriend instead because she is busy.
  • MaintenanceCosts Our Bolt is not going away for a while but if I had to predict today what would replace it, I'd predict an EX30. It checks every box for my wife.
  • Ajla Both Biden and Trump are on record caring ~0% what the WTO says and the US government isn't bound by WTO rulings.
  • Honda1 The FJB Inflation Reduction Act will end up causing more inflation down the road, fact! Go ahead and flame me libbies, get back to me in a few years!
  • Cprescott Fisker is another brand that Heir Yutz has killed.
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