Hackers Manipulate Refrigeration Systems at Hundreds of French Supermarkets
publishers 43articles 49first reported 12 Oct, 14:04 UTCdeveloping since 12 Oct · 11 editionstop 25 #17
Hackers remotely raised temperatures in refrigerators and freezers at hundreds of French supermarkets, spoiling food and causing fires or equipment damage at some locations, French authorities and retailers said.
The overnight attack targeted internet-connected refrigeration controls used by major chains including Carrefour, Intermarché, Monoprix and Coopérative U. Temperatures at some stores were forced as high as 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit), prompting retailers to discard fresh and frozen products because the cold chain could no longer be guaranteed.
The Paris prosecutor’s office opened an investigation into what it called a large-scale cyberattack. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu directed France’s National Cybersecurity Agency, ANSSI, to investigate and coordinate with European counterparts because other countries could also be affected. No group had publicly claimed responsibility, and investigators had not reported a ransom demand as of Tuesday.
Retailers’ counts varied as inspections continued. Carrefour said 80 of its supermarkets were affected, while Les Mousquetaires, which owns Intermarché, initially reported about 150 affected stores. Other reports placed the nationwide total between several hundred and 700 locations.
ANSSI identified a vulnerability involving software supplied by Danish company Danfoss. Danfoss said affected systems were running outdated firmware or had reached the end of their supported life, and said it had previously advised customers to install updates or replace legacy systems. The precise method used to compromise the equipment has not been publicly disclosed.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 4 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 24 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
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- Source articles
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- Given to the writer
- 8, 4 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 24 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
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WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
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