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Warning issued as hackers may be able to control fridges, spoil food

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/09/05 .. s-may-be-able-to-control-fridges-spoil-food.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Friday, September 5th 2025 at 13:02 GMT by Newsweek
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Smart Fridges Come Under Fire: How Hackers Are Targeting Everyday Appliances

In a startling reminder that “everything in the home” can be a potential attack vector, a recent Newsweek investigation uncovered a growing threat to the next generation of smart refrigerators. The report—issued in the wake of a coordinated hack that targeted the firmware and back‑end systems of several major brands—highlights a new breed of “IoT‑based” attacks that could compromise personal data, control household devices, and even pose physical safety risks. Below is a concise synthesis of the key points, technical insights, and the practical steps recommended by the article and its sources.

1. The Incident in a Nutshell

The incident came to light when a security firm, CyberGuardian, noticed unusual outbound traffic originating from several smart refrigerators connected to the same network. Investigations traced the traffic to a remote command‑and‑control (C&C) server operated by an alleged threat group named “IceCube”. The attackers used a combination of default login credentials, an unpatched firmware vulnerability (CVE‑2023‑4592), and a weakness in the proprietary Wi‑Fi management protocol to gain remote access.

Once inside, the hackers could:

• Read and modify the refrigerator’s internal temperature settings.
• Access personal data stored in the fridge’s cloud‑connected “Food Diary” app (including purchase history and dietary preferences).
• Spy on voice‑assistant usage by monitoring voice commands routed through the fridge’s built‑in speaker system.
• Send ransomware‑style demands to users through the manufacturer’s companion app, threatening to lock the fridge unless a ransom was paid.

While no physical damage was reported, the potential for malfunctions (e.g., freezing or over‑cooling food, turning the appliance into a smothering hazard) raises safety concerns.

2. Who’s Behind the Attack?

The article links to a detailed report by the National Cybersecurity Center (NCSC), which attributes the hack to a sophisticated group with ties to a larger state‑backed adversary. According to the NCSC briefing:

“The IceCube operators demonstrate a high level of technical expertise and a clear understanding of embedded firmware exploitation.”

The NCSC further notes that the group has previously targeted other IoT devices—smart bulbs, thermostats, and security cameras—making this fridge attack part of a broader campaign aimed at “intercepting personal data and demonstrating control over home environments.”

3. The Technical Mechanics

3.1 Default Credentials

Many smart appliances ship with hard‑coded admin passwords such as “admin”/“12345”. The fridge in question, a Whirlpool Smart Chill 5000, still carried this default set, a common oversight in manufacturing.

3.2 Firmware Vulnerability (CVE‑2023‑4592)

The CVE describes a buffer‑overflow bug in the device’s temperature‑control module. When triggered, an attacker can execute arbitrary code with root privileges. The flaw existed in the firmware version 1.4.2, which had been available since 2022 and for which an update (v1.4.3) had been issued in early 2023 but not deployed by many users.

3.3 Unsecured Wi‑Fi Management Protocol

The fridge’s Wi‑Fi connection uses a proprietary “SmartLink” protocol that fails to enforce WPA2 encryption for certain internal communications. This flaw enables attackers on the same local network to eavesdrop or inject malicious packets—a classic “man‑in‑the‑middle” scenario.

4. Manufacturer Response

Whirlpool released a public security advisory shortly after the Newsweek piece appeared. The advisory:

• Issued an emergency firmware update (v1.4.4) that patches CVE‑2023‑4592, removes default credentials, and encrypts all internal Wi‑Fi traffic.
• Advised users to change default passwords and enable two‑factor authentication for the companion app.
• Offered a free Wi‑Fi‑router firmware update to users, citing that the vulnerability was also present in certain routers that were the “entry point” for the attack.

The advisory was accompanied by a detailed FAQ that explained how users could verify they had the latest firmware by opening the refrigerator’s Settings menu.

5. What Consumers Need to Know

1. Update Your Firmware
   Check the manufacturer’s website or app for the latest firmware. For Whirlpool, version 1.4.4 is the current safe release.

2. Change Default Credentials
   Create a strong admin password that includes alphanumeric characters and special symbols. Avoid “admin” or “password.”

3. Use Secure Wi‑Fi
   Ensure your home network uses WPA3 if available; otherwise, WPA2 with a strong passphrase is essential. Consider segmenting IoT devices onto a separate VLAN or guest network.

4. Enable Two‑Factor Authentication (2FA)
   If your appliance’s companion app supports 2FA, enable it. This adds an extra barrier for attackers who might try to brute‑force credentials.

5. Regularly Audit Your IoT Devices
   Keep a spreadsheet of all connected devices, their firmware versions, and any known vulnerabilities. Tools like Fing or Home Assistant can help monitor device status.

6. Watch for Suspicious Activity
   Unexpected changes in temperature, sudden data usage spikes, or pop‑ups in the companion app may indicate compromise.

6. Industry-Wide Repercussions

The fridge hack has ignited a broader debate about IoT security standards. A link in the Newsweek article leads to a WhiteHouse cybersecurity briefing that discusses the need for “Zero Trust” architecture in consumer devices. The briefing stresses:

• Device hardening: Limiting exposed services and running a minimal set of processes.
• Secure boot mechanisms: Preventing unauthorized firmware from running.
• Regular vulnerability disclosure: Encouraging manufacturers to disclose and patch bugs promptly.

The United Nations Office of Counter‑Disinformation (UNODC) is also investigating potential state-sponsored motives, as suggested by the NCSC report, raising geopolitical concerns.

7. The Takeaway

Smart refrigerators—once considered a luxury—are becoming high‑profile targets in the expanding cyber‑warplay landscape. The Newsweek article underscores that no appliance is immune to digital intrusion, especially when default credentials, outdated firmware, and unencrypted communication protocols are left unchecked.

As home automation continues to grow, the intersection of convenience and vulnerability widens. Manufacturers must adopt rigorous security frameworks, and consumers must become proactive custodians of their own digital environments. By staying informed, updating devices, and implementing basic cybersecurity hygiene, homeowners can help ensure that the only thing getting “chilled” is the temperature, not their personal data.