French supermarket cyberattack heats fridges to 50°C

A cyberattack disrupted refrigeration systems at hundreds of French supermarkets overnight on October 11–12, forcing retailers to throw away food. Les Mousquetaires told Reuters that affected refrigerators reached 50°C for six hours.

The group said approximately 150 Intermarché stores were affected. A later AFP report, drawing on retailer statements, put the disruption at at least 300 Intermarché and Netto shops, more than 100 U stores and several E. Leclerc outlets.

Intermarché told BleepingComputer that some fresh and frozen food display units were out of service and that Intermarché and Netto had removed products. U also confirmed disruption and said it was working with refrigeration specialists.

Paris prosecutors opened an investigation on October 12 to identify victims and establish links between the attack and reported food losses and fires, AFP reported. The number of fires and total financial losses were unknown.

Danfoss acknowledged that its refrigeration-management equipment was affected, saying most of the equipment involved was legacy hardware. AFP identified AK-SM800 and AK-SC355 controllers, while Reuters reported outdated firmware. The controllers manage supermarket refrigeration equipment.

The attackers and the vulnerability they exploited remain unknown.

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