Midwest Petroleum Suffers Ransomware Attack by Alphv Group

Midwest Petroleum Equipment, a full-service provider of petroleum equipment and services for commercial, industrial, and agricultural customers, has been targeted by the ransomware group Alphv. The attack was announced on the group's dark web leak site, and the victim's website is https://mwpetroleum.com/. Midwest Petroleum operates in the Energy, Utilities & Waste sector, which has seen a surge in cyberattacks on oil and energy infrastructure in recent years.

Midwest Petroleum Equipment is a farmer-owned cooperative that offers a wide range of services including installation, maintenance, and repair of petroleum equipment. Their technicians are trained and certified to ensure that equipment is installed and maintained correctly and safely. The company also provides a full line of parts and supplies to keep equipment running smoothly.

The size of the company and its specific vulnerabilities in being targeted by threat actors are not provided in the search results. However, the Energy, Utilities & Waste sector has been identified as a major target for cyberattacks, with 35 major incidents recorded over the last five-year period. The Colonial Pipeline, which supplies around 45% of fuel to the East Coast, was hit by a ransomware attack in 2021, causing a significant disruption in fuel supply.

The Alphv ransomware group has been active in targeting various industries, including oil and gas, healthcare, and government organizations. The group is known for its aggressive tactics, often targeting critical infrastructure and demanding high ransom payments.

Midwest Petroleum Equipment has not released a public statement regarding the attack or the measures they are taking to mitigate the damage. The company's website does not provide information on their cybersecurity measures or incident response plans.

The ransomware attack on Midwest Petroleum Equipment highlights the growing threat of cyberattacks on the Energy, Utilities & Waste sector. Companies in this sector must prioritize cybersecurity measures to protect their infrastructure and prevent potential disruptions to their operations.

Sources

• Midwest Petroleum Equipment. (n.d.). Retrieved April 10, 2024, from https://mwpetroleum.com/
• Helman, C. (2021, May 10). FBI: Colonial Pipeline Hacked By 'Apolitical' Group DarkSide. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherhelman/2021/05/10/fbi-colonial-pipeline-hacked-by-apolitical-group-darkside/?sh=4e2a9ef52248
• MFA Oil Company. (n.d.). Retrieved April 10, 2024, from https://www.mfaoil.com/news/
• California Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General. (n.d.). Search Data Security Breaches. https://oag.ca.gov/privacy/databreach/list
• S&P Global. (2022, February 18). Cyberattacks on oil surge as hackers target commodities. https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/market-insights/latest-news/oil/021822-cyberattacks-on-oil-surge-as-hackers-target-commodities