French blood storage hacked as freezer attacks trigger cyber probe
Medical fridges storing donated blood in France were targeted by hackers raising temperatures, prompting a security investigation into potential Russian or Iranian culprits.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Medical cold rooms storing blood donations in France were targeted by hackers raising temperatures.
- The French Blood Establishment confirmed zero health impacts and no loss of blood products.
- Russian hacktivist groups Noname057(16) and Z-Pentest Alliance claimed responsibility for hacking Danfoss.
- Three cyber-security firms deployed digital honeypots to monitor hacker tactics and entry points.
French authorities have revealed that refrigerators used in medical facilities to store blood for donations were targeted in recent cyber-attacks by unknown hackers, resulting in rising temperatures inside cold rooms before staff successfully intervened to protect supplies.
The French Blood Establishment (EFS) officially stated that no health impacts have been identified and no loss of blood products has been reported. Up until this incident, only supermarkets were known to have been affected by the ongoing waves of freezer hacks.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Meanwhile, online rumors began circulating after Russian hacktivist groups Noname057(16) and Z-Pentest Alliance claimed they successfully hacked Danfoss, a manufacturer whose systems were linked to attacks affecting European supermarkets, sparking speculation about their involvement.
The incident highlights the growing threat of cyber-attacks targeting Internet of Things (IoT) devices and Industrial Control Systems (ICS) as part of broader hybrid warfare strategies. Hackers frequently use automated scanning scripts to locate publicly exposed devices with weak security configurations.
However, analysts remain skeptical about whether the Danfoss breach directly ties the groups to the supermarket cyber-attacks. While Russian groups are not ruled out, experts note that Iranian hacktivists, state-sponsored actors, or even teenagers pulling pranks could be behind the incidents.
"The fact that all these fridge freezers were hit simultaneously suggests planning and coordination."
Ryan Dewhurst from Previdian
Cyber-security researchers at multiple firms are analyzing evidence gathered from digital "honeypots," which are decoy networks or files designed to lure and trap attackers safely. Firms including Previdian in Spain, Lupovis based in Scotland, and Sekoia in France observed scanning activity targeting European freezer systems prior to the second wave of attacks.
According to reports from Sekoia, the attack patterns align with activities attributed to Russian hacktivists or the Russian government, but evidence also points toward Iranian-aligned actors who have a history of targeting internet-exposed industrial control systems in Israel and the United States using identical equipment.
Source: BBC World
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