Investigators hunt hackers who heated French supermarket fridges, sparking fires and spoiling food

Live updates

1. 3h ago

   French Supermarket Fridges Hacked to 122 Degrees

   Investigators in France are hunting hackers who launched a nationwide cyberattack targeting supermarket refrigeration systems. The overnight attack raised temperatures in refrigerators and freezers to 50 degrees Celsius, which translates to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. This malicious alteration spoiled stored food, triggered fires, and caused millions of euros in losses across hundreds of locations. The French government confirmed that the cyberattack hit 700 supermarkets. Authorities have opened a national cybercrime investigation, while no group has taken public responsibility for the sabotage.

   Why it matters

   The incident highlights vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure and retail supply chains, raising urgent questions about known controller flaws, remote access vulnerabilities, and overnight alarm systems. Similar disruptions impacted about a dozen United States military commissaries in late August, resulting in food losses from affected refrigeration units. European supermarket chains have also faced broader cyberattacks that disrupted refrigeration operations.

   What is confirmed

   • Hackers raised the temperature of refrigerators and freezers at hundreds of French supermarkets to as high as 122 degrees Fahrenheit overnight.
   • The cyberattack spoiled food and sparked fires across affected supermarket locations.
   • The French government stated that the cyberattack targeting refrigeration systems hit 700 supermarkets.
   • No group has claimed responsibility for the cyberattack.
   • The attacks caused millions of euros in losses and prompted a national cybercrime investigation.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The cyberattack exploited vulnerable remote controllers.

   What to watch next

   • Identification of any hacker group claiming responsibility for the attacks
   • Official findings from the national cybercrime investigation regarding the exploited remote controllers
   • Reports of similar refrigeration vulnerabilities or attacks spreading to other European grocery chains
   Sources used for this update (14)

   1. www.nbcnews.com — NBC News - Breaking Headlines and Video Reports on World, U.S....
   2. BBC — Fridges in French supermarkets hit by cyber attack
   3. CNBC — Cyber attack hits hundreds of French supermarkets, heating fridges to 122°F and sparking fires
   4. NBC News — Hackers heat French supermarket fridges, sparking fires and spoiling food
   5. The New York Times — Cyberattack Hits Hundreds of Supermarket Refrigeration Systems in France
   6. Reuters — Investigators hunt French supermarket fridge hackers, no claim of responsibility
   7. ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — Cyberattack targeting refrigeration systems hits 700 supermarkets, French government says
   8. The Seattle Times — Cyberattacks hit European supermarket chains and disrupt refrigeration systems
   9. www.yahoo.com — Hackers heat French supermarket fridges, sparking fires and ...
   10. nypost.com — Hackers heat French supermarket fridges, sparking fires and ...
   11. www.therundown.ai — Hackers sabotage refrigeration at hundreds of French supermarkets
   12. www.nbcnews.com — Investigators hunt hackers who heated French supermarket ...
   confidence 95%