the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Microsoft has sounded the alarm over an active cyberattack exploiting a critical vulnerability in its on-premise SharePoint server software, a widely used platform for document sharing and collaboration across businesses, government agencies, and organizations worldwide.
The company is urging all users to immediately install security updates to mitigate the risk of ongoing attacks.
🔴 What Happened in the Microsoft SharePoint Attack?
Microsoft confirmed that hackers are exploiting a zero-day vulnerability in SharePoint servers—meaning the flaw was previously unknown and had no ready-made fix when it was first detected.
According to The Washington Post, anonymous cyber actors have recently targeted both U.S. and international organizations, breaching sensitive data and compromising systems by abusing this vulnerability.
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On-premise SharePoint servers are affected, while SharePoint 365 (Microsoft’s cloud version) remains unaffected.
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Microsoft is actively collaborating with the FBI, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and the Department of Defense Cyber Defense Command to respond to the threat.
A Microsoft spokesperson emphasized:
“We’ve been coordinating closely with CISA, DOD Cyber Defense Command, and key cybersecurity partners globally throughout our response.”
🛡 How Serious Is This Zero-Day Vulnerability?
Security researchers have described the flaw as highly dangerous, allowing attackers to impersonate legitimate users and gain access to confidential documents and systems.
Cybersecurity firm Eye Security, based in the Netherlands, revealed that the cyber-espionage campaign has already affected more than 400 organizations worldwide—a sharp rise from 100 reported cases just days earlier.
Eye Security’s chief researcher Vaisha Bernard warned:
“There are likely many more victims, as not all attack vectors have left visible digital traces that we can detect.”
Among the confirmed victims is the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the U.S., which admitted one of its servers was compromised. Additional servers were isolated as a precaution.
🌐 Who Is Behind the Attack?
The hacking campaign reportedly began after Microsoft failed to fully patch a security hole in SharePoint software. Both Microsoft and Google’s parent company, Alphabet, have stated that Chinese-backed hackers are exploiting the flaw.
Beijing has denied the allegations.
✅ What Should Businesses and Agencies Do Now?
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Install the latest SharePoint security updates immediately.
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Isolate and monitor any servers running older or unpatched versions of SharePoint.
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Work with internal IT and cybersecurity teams to scan for signs of compromise.
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Report suspicious activity to Microsoft, CISA, or local cybersecurity authorities.
Organizations running SharePoint 365 in the cloud are not affected by this vulnerability but should still remain vigilant.
📰 Why This Matters
This Microsoft SharePoint cyberattack highlights the growing risks of zero-day vulnerabilities, especially in widely used enterprise software. With at least 400 confirmed victims and counting, this campaign could have lasting impacts on businesses, government agencies, and critical infrastructure worldwide.
Microsoft is racing to deploy a comprehensive fix while working with law enforcement and global cybersecurity experts to contain the breach.
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