Hundreds of supermarkets in France hit by ‘unprecedented’ cyberattack
A large-scale cyberattack has crippled refrigeration systems in hundreds of French supermarkets, causing temperatures to reach 122 degrees Fahrenheit or 50 degrees Celsius. The attackers hijacked Danfoss controllers to activate automatic defrosting, leading to widespread food spoilage and several fires. Major retail chains report significant food losses, while the Paris prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into the incident. The attack has also impacted store and delivery prices.
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- ✓ The cyberattack targeted refrigeration systems in hundreds of French supermarkets.
- ✓ Hackers caused refrigerators to heat up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit or 50 degrees Celsius.
- ✓ The attack caused food spoilage and sparked fires.
- ✓ The Paris prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into the attack.
What changed
The Paris prosecutor's office confirmed a formal investigation into the attack on major food retail chains.
Live updates
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Cyberattack heats French supermarket fridges to 122 degrees, sparking fires
A large-scale cyberattack has crippled refrigeration systems in hundreds of French supermarkets, causing temperatures to reach 122 degrees Fahrenheit or 50 degrees Celsius. The attackers hijacked Danfoss controllers to activate automatic defrosting, leading to widespread food spoilage and several fires. Major retail chains report significant food losses, while the Paris prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into the incident. The attack has also impacted store and delivery prices.
Why it matters
This incident highlights vulnerabilities in critical retail infrastructure that relies on remotely accessible or outdated third-party technology. The ability to physically damage hardware and spoil food supplies raises concerns regarding food security and the potential for AI-driven attacks on industrial control systems.
What is confirmed
- The cyberattack targeted refrigeration systems in hundreds of French supermarkets.
- Hackers caused refrigerators to heat up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit or 50 degrees Celsius.
- The attack caused food spoilage and sparked fires.
- The Paris prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into the attack.
- Attackers hijacked Danfoss controllers to activate automatic defrosting.
Still unconfirmed
- The attack has impacted store and delivery prices.
- Spoiled food is estimated to be worth millions of euros.
What to watch next
- Findings from the Paris prosecutor's investigation regarding the identity of the attackers
- Reports on the total financial value of spoiled food losses
- Updates on the security patches for Danfoss controllers used in retail refrigeration
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (23)
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- Reuters — Hackers heat French supermarket fridges, sparking fires and spoiling food
- BBC — Fridges in French supermarkets hit by cyber attack
- CBS News — Hackers turn up the heat in refrigerators at hundreds of supermarkets in France, sparking fires and food losses
- Tom's Hardware — 'Unprecedented' Cyberattack cripples supermarket fridges across Europe as hackers activate automatic defrosting — delivery and store prices also impacted by incident
- Al Jazeera — ‘Unprecedented’ cyberattack hits French supermarkets, causing food losses
- BBC — Global News Podcast | French supermarkets say fridges targeted in cyberattack
- Le Monde.fr — A disastrous day for French supermarkets after massive cyberattack targets refrigeration systems
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