FBI, CISA warn of cyberattacks targeting refrigeration systems

The FBI and CISA warn that hackers are actively targeting industrial refrigeration and cold-chain monitoring systems worldwide, potentially causing food spoilage, equipment damage, and fire hazards.

The warning was issued jointly with the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Agriculture (USDA), and Transportation (DOT), urging critical infrastructure operators to secure vulnerable refrigeration controllers used in healthcare, food production, chemical facilities, and transportation.

"Every organization that depends on refrigeration and monitoring systems should assume it could be a target," said Chris Butera, CISA's Acting Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity.

According to a joint advisory published Thursday, attackers are exploiting weaknesses in unpatched or internet-accessible electronic temperature controllers and commercial refrigeration management systems.