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Ransomware group DarkSide blamed for attack on US pipeline network
The US intelligence community is looking into whether the attack against Colonial Pipeline has any ties to Russia, according to the White House.
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Fuel holding tanks are seen at Colonial Pipeline's Linden Junction Tank Farm on May 10, 2021 in Woodbridge, New Jersey. Alpharetta, Georgia-based Colonial Pipeline, which has the largest fuel pipeline, was forced to shut down its oil and gas pipeline system on Friday after a ransomware attack that has slowed down the transportation of oil in the eastern U.S. On Sunday, the federal government announced an emergency declaration that extends through June 8th and can be renewed. On Monday, the FBI confirmed that the cyberattack was carried out by DarkSide, a cybercrime gang believed to operate out of Russia. (AFP/Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
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he Federal Bureau of Investigation said Monday it has determined that ransomware group DarkSide is responsible for the compromise of a major US fuel pipeline system, an incident that has led to a shutdown of its operations.
The US intelligence community is looking into whether the attack against Colonial Pipeline has any ties to Russia, according to the White House.
"So far there is no evidence...from our intelligence people that Russia is involved, although there is evidence that the actors' ransomware is in Russia," President Joe Biden said, adding that Moscow has "some responsibility to deal with this."
Colonial Pipeline, which transports around 45 percent of all fuel consumed on the US East Coast, announced over the weekend that it had been subject to a cybersecurity attack involving ransomware and had temporarily halted all pipeline operations.
The main lines have remained offline. The Georgia-based company said in a press release Monday that it is aiming to "substantially" restore operational service by the end of the week.
Biden's Homeland Security Adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall said there has not been a supply shortage, but the government is considering what additional steps may be useful to mitigate any potential disruptions.
According to Reuters, DarkSide said in a statement posted on its website that its goal was to make money rather than sow mayhem.
The statement did not directly mention Colonial Pipeline. However, under the heading "About the latest news," it said "our goal is to make money, and not creating problems for society," according to the news agency.
Colonial Pipeline is the largest refined products pipeline in the United States, transporting more than 2.5 million barrels per day, according to the company's website.
