A widespread cyberattack targeted several French retail chains, compromising their refrigeration systems and causing temperatures to rise to 50°C in some stores. The attack affected hundreds of stores, including those belonging to the "Intermarché" and "Nieto" chains. As a result, large quantities of food products were damaged and had to be discarded to prevent health risks.
According to reports from Reuters and the French Press Agency, the cyberattack occurred on multiple sites, with some stores experiencing fires due to the malfunctioning refrigeration systems. The "Intermarché" chain, owned by "Les Mousquetaires," confirmed that around 150 of its stores were affected, with refrigerators reaching 50°C for six hours during the night.
The French Press Agency reported that at least 300 stores from the "Intermarché" and "Nieto" chains, as well as over 100 stores from the "Cooperative U" group and several "E. Leclerc" stores, were impacted by the cyberattack. The attack led to the spoilage of fresh and frozen food products.
The Paris prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into the large-scale cyberattack. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has instructed the national cybersecurity agency to investigate the incident. Authorities are coordinating with their European counterparts, as there is a possibility that other countries may have been affected.
An investigation revealed a vulnerability in software provided by the Danish company Danfoss. The affected refrigeration systems used outdated software that no longer received security updates. This vulnerability is believed to have been exploited by the attackers to gain access to the systems.
To mitigate the damage, store owners quickly disposed of perishable goods that had been compromised. This was done to prevent any potential health hazards associated with spoiled food products. The incident highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and robust cybersecurity measures.
The French government is taking steps to enhance its cybersecurity and prevent similar incidents in the future. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, such as food storage and distribution systems.
Key points
- A large-scale cyberattack targeted French retail chains, causing refrigerators to reach 50°C and resulting in significant food spoilage.
- The attack affected hundreds of stores, including those belonging to major retail chains like "Intermarché" and "Nieto".
- Authorities have launched an investigation and are coordinating with European partners to assess the full extent of the incident.
