Cyberattack on French supermarkets causes fires, millions in losses

French supermarkets experienced a cyberattack on Monday, resulting in the disposal of perishable goods due to hackers infiltrating refrigeration systems across the nation. Major chains like Cooperative U, Leclerc, Les Mousquetaires, and Intermarche were affected. In response, over 400 stores were forced to discard both fresh and frozen products, with temperatures of fully-stocked fridges reaching 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) for over six hours in certain cases.

Prosecutors in Paris confirmed the attacks, revealing fires at some locations. Leclerc and Intermarche specifically attributed the issue to a cyberattack on one of their refrigeration equipment suppliers, Danfoss, a Danish company. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu's office identified a vulnerability in software from a Danish supplier and has reached out to the vendor.

Danfoss acknowledged incidents affecting a limited number of refrigeration management systems, attributing the issue to outdated firmware. The Prime Minister's office has tasked the French cybersecurity agency ANSSI with investigating the attack, coordinating with European counterparts, as other countries might also be impacted.

Security breaches were also reported in Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, though Dutch supermarket chain Ahold Delhaize did not link the incidents to the French attacks. The motive behind the cyberattack remains unclear, with no group or individual claiming responsibility. This incident underscores growing concerns over vulnerabilities related to industrial ransomware and cyberattacks by malicious actors, particularly amid heightened sensitivity toward Russian hybrid attacks in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron, a staunch advocate for Kyiv's defense against Russia, has implemented measures to safeguard France's critical infrastructure against Kremlin hybrid attacks. Food security experts have condemned the incident, emphasizing that targeting equipment essential to preserving fresh products and the nation's food supply is unprecedented and unacceptable.