Cyberattacks Disrupt Refrigeration at More Than 700 French Stores

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Summary

Cyberattacks reportedly manipulated refrigeration controllers, spoiling food at more than 700 French grocery and retail stores. The attacker remains unknown; a Sekoia analyst also reported impacts in other European countries.

Key points

  • Attackers reportedly altered commercial refrigeration controllers, extending defrost cycles to make rising temperatures appear routine; some units reached 50°C, spoiling food and reportedly causing small fires.
  • Companies said more than 700 French grocery and retail stores were affected in one night. A Sekoia analyst told Reuters that Spain, Portugal, Poland, Germany and Belgium were also affected; a Dutch chain shut systems as a precaution.
  • The attacker and motive are unknown. Intermarché reported losses of tens of millions of euros, and its parent company said the attack came through a service provider responsible for refrigeration systems at some stores.
  • Danfoss said most affected units used AK-SM 800 or older AK-SC355 systems, which are end-of-life. Danfoss had patched three AK-SM 800A vulnerabilities, but customers were responsible for updating their systems.
  • CERT-FR identified Dixell/Copeland XWEB controllers as also involved, but did not specify the vulnerable versions or flaws. Team82 had disclosed 23 XWEB Pro vulnerabilities, 21 rated high severity; the article does not establish that these flaws were exploited.
  • Recommended safeguards include removing controllers from direct internet exposure, using firewalls with default-deny rules and restricted source IPs, and securing remote access with passwords and two-factor authentication.

Article Details

Victim Organization
French supermarket and retail chains, including Intermarché
Incident Type
Cyberattacks on commercial refrigeration control systems; the attackers reportedly changed refrigeration equipment to heating mode.
Operational Impact
Company reports said a little over 700 grocery and retail stores were affected in the same night. Refrigerators, freezers, and cold rooms reportedly heated up to 50°C, spoiling food; a few small fires were also reported as possible. Intermarché reported losses of tens of millions of euros. Les Mousquetaires said the attack reached some stores through a refrigeration-system service provider.
Claim Status
confirmed

CVE

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Countries

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