Cyberattack on French Supermarket Fridges Destroys Food and Triggers Fires

Cyberattack on Supermarkets

Hackers targeted refrigeration systems across hundreds of supermarkets in France, raising temperatures in store freezers to fifty degrees Celsius. The attack affected more than four hundred and eighty shops, spoiling fresh and frozen food while causing fires in several locations. Major retail companies described the incident as an unprecedented and very serious security breach. The Paris prosecutor office confirmed that the attack struck internet-connected cooling systems belonging to multiple major food retailers.

Investigation and Software Vulnerability

Prime Minister Sebastian Lecornu ordered the national cybersecurity agency ANSSI to investigate the breach. Investigators found that hackers exploited software vulnerabilities in connection panels made by the Danish company Danfoss. Danfoss stated that the affected stores were using older software versions and noted that it repeatedly advises clients to update systems and replace outdated equipment. French retail group Les Mousquetaires reported that about one hundred and fifty Intermarche stores faced six hours of heating, while Carrefour and Monoprix stores also suffered damage.

Sector Impact and Broader Reach

Retail executives warn that the single-day losses could run into several million euros, with all affected food products sent to the waste. Cooperative U chief executive Dominique Schelcher called the targeting of food supply systems unacceptable. Meanwhile, cybersecurity experts at Sekoia warned that similar activities were spotted in Spain, Portugal, Poland, Germany, and Belgium.

Context

Supermarkets use centralized digital control panels connected to the internet so maintenance teams can adjust cooling settings from afar. When security gaps exist in these remote management systems, unauthorized users can gain access to alter equipment operations. This incident highlights the growing vulnerability of vital commercial infrastructure connected to online networks.