Thousands of refrigeration systems hit in cyberattack as France blames Iran, warns of European sanctions

Cold units targeted remotely

Two waves of attacks in October and into November targeted web-based controllers for industrial refrigeration and freezer units. The systems serve grocery stores and retail supermarkets, and hackers allegedly raised temperatures to spoil food and damage goods.

Medical blood banks were also targeted, but the French Blood Establishment said the attacks were stopped before blood was spoiled. Security researchers have warned that the controllers are vulnerable to remote attacks. Some affected models made by Danish company Danfoss no longer receive security fixes.

France identifies Iran’s guard

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Monday that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was responsible. He described the incident as an unprecedented act of sabotage and said it would not go without consequences.

U.S. inquiry remains open

The attacks are part of a series of destructive cyber incidents attributed to Iran this year, including hacks targeting U.S. water providers and online intrusions that disrupted medical device maker Stryker.

U.S. officials are reportedly investigating whether freezer units at military bases were hacked. Officials have reportedly linked the freezer-related attack to Iran, but the U.S. intelligence community has not made a formal public attribution.