US puts $10M bounty on three Russians accused of attacking critical infrastructure

The United States government has issued a staggering $10 million reward for information leading to the capture and prosecution of three Russian individuals accused of engaging in espionage and hacking attacks against America's critical infrastructure. The suspects, identified as intelligence agents working on behalf of the Russian Federation, are believed to have used their cunning and technical expertise to breach several high-profile targets.

According to sources within the US State Department, the trio's modus operandi involves exploiting an old, yet still vulnerable seven-year-old Cisco vulnerability that has inexplicably gone unpatched. This oversight has allowed them to gain unauthorized access to America's critical infrastructure, including power grids, financial systems, and other essential networks.

The attack vectors used by the suspects are shrouded in mystery, but it is believed they have been using sophisticated techniques to evade detection and conceal their tracks. The fact that this vulnerability has remained unpatched for over seven years raises serious concerns about the security of critical infrastructure and the potential for future breaches.

Law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity experts are urging citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. "We cannot stress enough the importance of reporting suspicious activity, especially when it comes to cyber threats," said a spokesperson for the US State Department. "Every piece of information counts in our efforts to protect America's critical infrastructure."

The $10 million bounty is part of a broader effort by the US government to crack down on Russian intelligence agents and hackers who have been targeting American interests. The reward is being offered through the State Department's Rewards Program, which provides financial incentives for information leading to the capture and prosecution of individuals engaged in espionage and other malicious activities.

As tensions between the United States and Russia continue to simmer, this development serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by hostile actors seeking to exploit vulnerabilities in America's critical infrastructure. The fact that this vulnerability has gone unpatched for so long highlights the need for greater vigilance and cooperation among government agencies, industry leaders, and individuals to stay one step ahead of these threats.