US agencies including CISA and the FBI warn that attackers are targeting internet-connected industrial refrigeration and cold-chain monitoring systems.
The warning describes how temperature changes could put stock and equipment at risk, alongside recent attacks that affected refrigeration equipment in at least 12 countries.
Temperature monitoring systems in storage and transportation areas are also being targeted. Such equipment is used in supermarkets, refrigerated warehouses, and in the food, agriculture, transportation, and pharmaceutical sectors.
Attacks in at least a dozen countries
There have been several waves of attacks in Britain and other European countries in recent weeks. Two separate waves affected fridges and freezers in at least a dozen countries, resulting in food spoiling or being destroyed.
Some of the affected systems were remote control units from Danish company Danfoss. The company had stopped providing security updates for its customers' freezers.
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In France, an attack affected refrigeration units at a blood bank and raised their temperature. The attack was stopped before blood supplies were affected. Meanwhile, the US Department of Defense is investigating incidents involving freezers at military bases that may be related to an attack.
Possible consequences and origins
Authorities warn that perpetrators could change the temperature or force units to run continuously, repeating heating and defrosting cycles. This could lead to loss of inventory, a fire hazard or damage to equipment.
The US has not attributed the attacks to a specific group or government. Security researchers have more broadly attributed the attacks to Iran, while reports suggest that US officials also suspect Iran may be responsible.
What are the American services asking for?
CISA, the FBI, and the Departments of Agriculture, Health and Human Services, and Transportation are urging organizations to disconnect remote control systems from the internet, change and strengthen their passwords, and install available updates that fix issues. They also recommend that they retire equipment that is no longer supported by the manufacturer.
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