Cyberattack shuts down refrigerators at French supermarkets

A cyberattack targeted multiple French supermarket chains by remotely defrosting their refrigeration units overnight. The attack specifically targeted Danfoss refrigeration controllers, which are widely used in commercial food retail environments. The incident caused significant disruption to food storage, potentially resulting in spoilage and financial losses. The attack demonstrates the growing threat to operational technology (OT) and industrial control systems (ICS) in retail critical infrastructure. Danfoss controllers are commonly deployed across European supermarket chains, raising concerns about the breadth of potential exposure. The remote nature of the attack suggests the refrigeration systems were accessible via network connections, highlighting risks of internet-connected OT devices. This incident underscores the importance of securing building management and refrigeration systems against cyber threats in the food supply chain.