A set of 38 security vulnerabilities has been uncovered in wireless industrial internet of things devices from four different vendors that could pose a significant attack surface for threat actors looking to exploit operational technology environments.

“Threat actors can exploit vulnerabilities in Wireless IIoT devices to gain initial access to internal OT networks,” Israeli industrial cybersecurity company Otorio said.

“They can use these vulnerabilities to bypass security layers and infiltrate target networks, putting critical infrastructure at risk or interrupting manufacturing.”

The findings underscore how OT networks could be put at risk by making IIoT devices directly accessible on the internet, effectively creating a “Single point of failure” that can bypass all security protections.

As countermeasures, it’s recommended to disable insecure encryption schemes, hide Wi-Fi network names, disable unused cloud management services, and take steps to prevent devices from being publicly accessible.

“The low complexity of exploit, combined with the broad potential impact, makes wireless IIoT devices and their cloud-based management platforms an enticing target for attackers looking to breach industrial environments,” the company said.