Connected Tools, Connected Risks: Cybercriminals Use Wrenches as Gateways to Ransomware

Security researchers have discovered that hackers may be able to cause mayhem by hijacking torque wrenches that are connected to Wi-Fi in car factories. According to experts, network-connected wrenches used worldwide are now vulnerable to ransomware hackers, who can manipulate their functions and gain unauthorized access to the connected networks through manipulating their functionalities. 

In a report published on Tuesday by security company Nozomi Networks, 25 vulnerabilities were found in Bosch Rexroth’s operating system. Hackers can compromise Bosch’s pneumatic torque wrenches through the embedded Wi-Fi module in their hardware by exploiting these software bugs. These hacks could allow them to interfere with the customer’s IT network.  

It has been demonstrated that Nozomi researchers have successfully installed ransomware on Bosch wrenches to determine the severity of the vulnerabilities. As well as this, it has been reported that the graphical user interface (GUI) of the application could be altered to display any message that requested a ransom payment on the screen, the company said.   

The Bosch network wrenches have been widely used by manufacturers and service stations all over the world for many years, but this makes them a significant risk, as any flaw in these tools may lead to the destruction of entire facilities, and even result in fires.&n

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