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Russian groups claim Europe freezer hacks; researchers say attribution is open
BBC reports that Noname057(16) and Z-Pentest Alliance claimed supermarket freezer attacks, then deleted the posts, while three firms' honeypot data leave Russian, Iranian, state, or other actors unproven.
- New headline Was: “French blood supplies impacted by freezer hacks as theories swirl about culprits”
- Our desk filed its story
Two groups that researchers associate with Russian hacktivism claimed they jointly carried out waves of freezer hacks that hit European supermarkets, then deleted those Telegram posts, BBC cyber correspondent Joe Tidy reported1.
The groups, named as Noname057(16) and Z-Pentest Alliance, bragged of skill and precision in the now-deleted posts, the BBC said1. The claims are being treated with scepticism; a cybersecurity content creator who shared them on X said they were not convinced the groups were responsible and that they may have claimed the activity after analysts linked it to them1.
Three cybersecurity firms deployed fake freezer-software honeypots — decoy systems meant to look like vulnerable refrigeration controllers — to watch how attackers scan and try to use them1. Ryan Dewhurst of Spain-based Previdian said simultaneous hits on fridge freezers suggested planning and coordination1. He said the freezer software was poorly protected and known methods were already circulating, but that attackers still had to collect public IP addresses, choose methods, and time the work1. Dewhurst said reported overnight temperature increases, aimed at maximum damage, were further evidence of planning1.
Lupovis, based in Strathclyde, said its worldwide-looking honeypots started seeing activity about 10 days before the second wave, and that scanning hit only decoys that appeared to sit in Europe1. Founder Xavier Bellekens said none of its pots in places such as Africa or South America were targeted, and that even pots in Ukraine were left alone1.
French firm Sequoia also saw scanning before the second wave but said it could have been automated and not necessarily malicious1. In a customer report, Sequoia said the attack's nature aligned with Russian hacktivists or the Russian government, which the BBC said is accused of hybrid-warfare cyber operations in Europe1. Sequoia's research also pointed to Iranian regime hackers or hacktivists, citing a record of targeting internet-exposed industrial controls and prior incidents on the same class of equipment in Israel and the United States1.
Sequoia said about 40 Israeli supermarkets running Danfoss controllers were compromised in 20221. The BBC said that in late August, freezers at at least six U.S. military bases were forced into defrost mode, as in France, with controller models unconfirmed and investigations ongoing1. A now-deleted post claimed Noname and Z-Pentest Alliance had targeted Danfoss freezer software since the start of 20261.
Authorities in several countries are investigating and warning supermarkets about further attacks, the BBC said, and no formal attribution has been made1. None of the three honeypot operators ruled out a teenager, the report said, but they agreed the planning would imply a well-coordinated group and that they would expect online bragging to surface if so1.