Ethical Hacking News
Microsoft's SharePoint servers are under attack due to a major security flaw that leaves tens of thousands of on-premises servers at risk. The vulnerability allows hackers to access sensitive data, steal keys, and traverse breached networks. Microsoft has released patches for affected servers and urges organizations to disconnect them from the internet until official resolutions have been implemented.
Microsoft has issued an alert about a major security flaw affecting tens of thousands of on-premises servers used by global businesses and government agencies. The vulnerability, known as a zero-day exploit, allows hackers to access sensitive data and traverse breached networks using Microsoft's SharePoint software. The attacks have already targeted US federal and state agencies, universities, energy companies, and an Asian telecommunications company, highlighting the global scope of this incident. Cloud versions of SharePoint are not affected by the exploit, but organizations relying on on-premises servers should disconnect them from the internet until patches are implemented. The origin of the exploit is tied to bugs presented at the Pwn2Own hacking contest in May. CISA is still assessing the scope and impact of this attack, emphasizing the need for ongoing vigilance and swift action against emerging threats.
Microsoft has issued an alert regarding a major security flaw that has left tens of thousands of on-premises servers used by global businesses and government agencies at risk. The vulnerability, known as a zero-day exploit, was first identified by researchers at Eye Security in mid-July, and Microsoft has since confirmed that it is actively working to patch the issue.
The exploit allows hackers to access certain on-premises versions of Microsoft's SharePoint software, granting them unauthorized access to sensitive data, harvesting passwords, and traversing breached networks through connected services such as Outlook, Teams, and OneDrive. This malicious activity can continue even after the server has been rebooted or patched, making it a particularly insidious threat.
According to information shared by the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the attacks have already targeted US federal and state agencies, universities, energy companies, and an Asian telecommunications company, underscoring the global scope of this incident. Microsoft has taken steps to mitigate the situation, releasing patches for SharePoint 2019 and SharePoint Subscription Edition servers.
However, it appears that cloud versions of SharePoint are not affected by the exploit, providing a partial measure of security for businesses that utilize these services. Nevertheless, organizations relying on on-premises servers are urged to disconnect them from the internet until official resolutions have been implemented.
Microsoft has acknowledged the severity of this vulnerability and is diligently working to develop patches that can fully protect its software users. The company has emphasized the importance of swift action in addressing this threat, underscoring the need for proactive measures to safeguard against such cyberattacks.
The origins of the exploit are tied to a combination of bugs presented at the Pwn2Own hacking contest in May, allowing unauthenticated access to SharePoint servers. This highlights the ever-present risk of vulnerabilities being discovered and exploited in the world of cybersecurity, emphasizing the importance of ongoing vigilance and the need for swift action in addressing emerging threats.
The scope and impact of this attack are still being assessed by CISA, but it is clear that this incident poses significant risks to organizations relying on Microsoft's SharePoint software. As such, it is crucial for affected parties to take immediate action to secure their networks and protect sensitive data from potential cyber threats.
In light of these developments, it has become essential to emphasize the importance of ongoing cybersecurity awareness and proactive measures in safeguarding against emerging threats like this one. By staying informed and taking swift action, individuals and organizations can significantly reduce their risk exposure and mitigate the impact of such incidents.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/Micr0soft-SharePoint-Servers-Under-Attack-A-Global-Cybersecurity-Nightmare-ehn.shtml
https://www.theverge.com/news/710513/microsoft-sharepoint-server-attack-zero-day-exploit
Published: Mon Jul 21 05:32:02 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
