Stuxnet

Malware
21 incidents First seen 2026-03-19 Last seen 2026-08-26
Also known as
W32.Stuxnet
Overview

Stuxnet was the first publicly reported malware to specifically target industrial control systems devices. Stuxnet is a large and complex malware that utilized multiple behaviors, including numerous zero-day vulnerabilities, a sophisticated Windows rootkit, and network infection routines. Stuxnet was discovered in 2010, with some components being used as early as November 2008.

Threat ecosystem
Actors Malware Campaigns CVEs
Tap a node for a quick look · double-tap to open its profile
At a glance
peak priority 125 57 techniques Windows in ATT&CK since 2020-12-14 updated 2026-04-24 · v1.5
Activity by month (incidents)
2026-032026-08
Sectors targeted
energy · 7government · 6manufacturing · 3technology · 2cryptocurrency · 1education · 1logistics · 1telecommunications · 1
Countries targeted
IR · 9US · 8CA · 7IL · 4RU · 3CN · 2CY · 2DK · 2FI · 2UA · 2AE · 1AF · 1
Origin
CA · 5IR · 5US · 5IL · 2RU · 2AE · 1
Kinds of incident
Malware & Botnets · 9Cyberattack (general) · 6Data Breach · 2Industry & Policy · 2Critical Infrastructure & OT · 1Phishing & Social Engineering · 1
Techniques seen in incidents
Sabotage · 8T1588.001 - Malware · 8T1592.002 - Software · 5Data Leak · 4Espionage · 3Phishing · 3Ransomware · 3Cryptojacking · 2Lateral Movement · 2Reconnaissance · 2Wiper · 2Botnet · 1Data Breach · 1Exfiltration · 1
Related actors
Equation · 2APT33 · 1
ATT&CK techniques by tactic (57)
initial access T1078.001 Default Accounts T1078.002 Domain Accounts T1091 Replication Through Removable Media
execution T1047 Windows Management Instrumentation T1053.005 Scheduled Task T1106 Native API T1129 Shared Modules
persistence T1053.005 Scheduled Task T1078.001 Default Accounts T1078.002 Domain Accounts T1112 Modify Registry T1505.001 SQL Stored Procedures T1543.003 Windows Service
privilege escalation T1053.005 Scheduled Task T1055.001 Dynamic-link Library Injection T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation T1078.001 Default Accounts T1078.002 Domain Accounts T1134.001 Token Impersonation/Theft T1543.003 Windows Service
discovery T1012 Query Registry T1016 System Network Configuration Discovery T1082 System Information Discovery T1083 File and Directory Discovery T1087.001 Local Account T1087.002 Domain Account T1120 Peripheral Device Discovery T1124 System Time Discovery T1135 Network Share Discovery T1518.001 Security Software Discovery
lateral movement T1021 Remote Services T1021.002 SMB/Windows Admin Shares T1080 Taint Shared Content T1091 Replication Through Removable Media T1210 Exploitation of Remote Services T1570 Lateral Tool Transfer
collection T1560.003 Archive via Custom Method
command and control T1008 Fallback Channels T1071.001 Web Protocols T1090.001 Internal Proxy T1132.001 Standard Encoding T1573.001 Symmetric Cryptography
exfiltration T1041 Exfiltration Over C2 Channel
stealth T1014 Rootkit T1027.013 Encrypted/Encoded File T1055.001 Dynamic-link Library Injection T1070 Indicator Removal T1070.004 File Deletion T1070.006 Timestomp T1078.001 Default Accounts T1078.002 Domain Accounts T1134.001 Token Impersonation/Theft T1140 Deobfuscate/Decode Files or Information T1480 Execution Guardrails
defense impairment T1112 Modify Registry T1553.002 Code Signing T1685 Disable or Modify Tools
Incident timeline
2026-08-26
Exclusive: NSA to host a hacker reunion in bid to rebuild secretive unit
2026-08-05
Cyberattacks on water systems expand to 12 states as South Dakota, Georgia announce incidents
2026-07-09
NSA revives 'Tailored Access Operations' name for elite hacking unit
2026-06-05
Adaptive, Agentic AI Worms Loom as Next Enterprise Threat
2026-06-05
Adaptive, Agentic AI Worms Loom as Next Enterprise Threat
2026-05-19
Verizon DBIR: Enterprises Face a Dangerous Vulnerability Glut
2026-05-19
Stealer Spoofs Google, Microsoft & Apple, Then Backdoors macOS
2026-05-18
Pre-Stuxnet Fast16 Malware Tampered with Nuclear Weapons Simulations
2026-05-18
Irán ataca gasolineras de EEUU: así ha ocurrido este ciberataque masivo a una infraestructura crítica
2026-05-06
From Stuxnet to ChatGPT: 20 News Events That Shaped Cyber
2026-04-30
Fast16 Malware
2026-04-27
20-Year-Old Malware Rewrites History of Cyber Sabotage
2026-04-27
Researchers Identify Fast16 Sabotage Malware That Pre-Dates Stuxnet
2026-04-27
Researchers Identify Fast16 Sabotage Malware That Pre-Dates Stuxnet
2026-04-25
Researchers Uncover Pre-Stuxnet ‘fast16’ Malware Targeting Engineering Software
2026-04-09
Internet-Exposed ICS Devices Raise Alarm for Critical Sectors
2026-03-27
Wartime Usage of Compromised IP Cameras Highlight Their Danger
2026-03-25
Ex-NSA Directors Discuss 'Red Line' for Offensive Cyberattacks