Cyberattack Paralyzes Cooling Systems in European Supermarkets
Multiple European supermarket chains have experienced a significant cyberattack, with hackers manipulating refrigeration control systems. The attack has led to equipment failure, disrupting operations and causing financial losses.
Several major European supermarket chains have been targeted in an unprecedented cyberattack, according to reports. Attackers reportedly altered refrigeration control systems, specifically manipulating the defrost function to operate continuously at 50 degrees Celsius. This has rendered critical cooling and freezing equipment inoperable, impacting food storage, store operations, and delivery logistics.
The attack primarily affected the Danfoss refrigeration control systems. Retailers including France-based Intermarché, Leclerc, and Coopérative U have confirmed impacts, affecting consumers in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Dominique Schelcher, president of Coopérative U, confirmed on October 12 that the group's refrigeration facilities had been hit by a cyberattack starting the previous night. The company is working with refrigeration technicians to repair the systems and has launched an investigation.
Reports indicate the attackers exploited the system's automatic defrost feature, which normally runs for about two hours daily to protect the equipment. In this attack, the function was reportedly set to a 'forced' and 'continuous' defrost cycle at 50 degrees Celsius, causing refrigerators and freezers to emit heat rather than cold. This failure prevents the equipment from maintaining the necessary low temperatures for food preservation.
The incident has also disrupted supermarket deliveries and affected pricing systems linked to electronic shelf labels. Two Intermarché and Leclerc stores in the Alsace region of France reported losses totaling €270,000 as of October 12. Approximately 150 Intermarché stores are believed to have been affected, with potential losses running into millions of euros.