Microsoft Sharepoint hack: Tech giant issues warning to governments, companies globally as FBI investigating sensitive data breach
Exploiting a 'zero-day' vulnerability, the breach impacted US federal and state agencies, universities, and energy companies, with attackers gaining access to sensitive data and systems, as reported by The Washington Post.
The breach involved tampering with automated data systems and extracting passwords and cryptographic keys, allowing continued access even after patches. Microsoft has yet to issue a comprehensive fix, leaving victims struggling to secure their systems.
SharePoint, a crucial tool for collaboration and document management, is widely used across both commercial and government sectors. The breach has raised concerns about data theft and the long-term security of such platforms.
🚨BREAKING: MICROSOFT HIT BY MASSIVE CYBERATTACK - STATE SECRETS, CRYPTO KEYS, AND GOVT DOCS STOLEN
Hackers tore into SharePoint and nuked the vault ripping through U.S. agencies, EU servers, and global telecoms.
They stole everything… then vanished.
Thousands still haven't… pic.twitter.com/tcRvFMUEoE — HustleBitch (@HustleBitch_) July 21, 2025
The FBI has confirmed the breach, and investigations are ongoing, with the US government, Canada, and Australia involved, as reported by Reuters.
Experts have warned that the ability of hackers to retain access using cryptographic keys poses an ongoing threat.
This incident is the latest in a series of security lapses for Microsoft, which has faced criticism over previous breaches, including one involving China-backed hackers in 2023.
The breach has spurred a reassessment of the cybersecurity readiness of major tech companies and raised alarms about the protection of critical infrastructure.
As cybersecurity teams work to assess the damage, concerns over the timeliness of response persist, especially after budget cuts to incident response teams.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
11 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Pakistan reaffirms commitment to GSP+
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday underscored the European Union's status as one of Pakistan's foremost trading partners and reaffirmed the government's commitment to the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), describing it as a mutually beneficial arrangement. The prime minister, during a meeting with the outgoing Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan, Dr Riina Kionka – who paid a farewell call as she concluded her diplomatic tenure – acknowledged her contributions to strengthening Pakistan-EU relations. Extending his felicitations to Ambassador Kionka on the successful completion of her assignment, Sharif appreciated her efforts in enhancing Pakistan-EU relations. GSP plus status: EU review puts Pakistan's duty-free export to the test amid reforms push He also acknowledged the European Union's timely assistance during the devastating floods of 2022, and lauded the ambassador's role in mobilising support. The prime minister conveyed his warm regards to the EU President, Ursula von der Leyen, and expressed his desire to meet her in the near future to further deepen bilateral engagement. The Interaction also included discussions on domestic political developments and the broader trajectory of Pakistan-EU relations. Ambassador Kionka expressed her gratitude to the prime minister and the government for the support extended to her during her tenure. She reaffirmed the EU's commitment to advancing its partnership with Pakistan, and stated that she would continue to advocate for strong bilateral ties in her upcoming role in Brussels. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
12 hours ago
- Business Recorder
China stocks pause rally as investors eye Politburo meeting
HONG KONG: China stocks dipped on Friday, pausing their rally as investors locked in gains ahead of a Politburo meeting expected to set economic policy for the rest of the year, though markets still registered a fifth straight weekly rise. The Shanghai Composite index fell 0.3% to 3,593.66, slipping from a 3-1/2-year high. China's blue-chip CSI300 index lost 0.5%. Liquor distillers dropped 2% and consumer staples slid 1.7%, leading declines onshore. Offsetting some losses, the AI sector jumped 2.2% and semiconductor sector climbed 1.9%. Despite the day's pullback, the Shanghai Composite index has gained 1.7% so far this week to log its fifth straight weekly gain - its longest winning streak since the start of a rally that began in February 2024. Beijing's latest efforts to curb excessive competition and overcapacity, and incremental signs of improving US-China trade relations lifted sentiment. Analysts at CLSA said institutional investors' overall risk appetite has improved significantly this month, though some remain unconvinced about a structural bull run and see more sector-specific opportunities. Hong Kong's benchmark Hang Seng Index weakened 1.1% to 25,388.35 after closing at its highest since November 2021 on Thursday. The Hang Seng Tech Index led declines, losing 1.2% on the day. Market attention will be squarely on the Politburo meeting due later this month, given that it will likely shape economic policy for the rest of the year.
Business Recorder
12 hours ago
- Business Recorder
European shares settle lower as investors gauge mixed earnings
FRANKFURT: European shares closed lower on Friday, as investors assessed mixed corporate earnings while awaiting updates on a framework of an EU-US trade deal that officials said could be reached as early as this weekend. Investors navigated the peaks and troughs around a potential agreement between the two large economies after a busy week of trade discussions with the US culminated in deals with Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The pan-European STOXX 600 index dropped 0.6% to session lows after US President Donald Trump said there was less chance of an agreement with the EU, but pared losses after EU diplomats reiterated that a deal of 15% duties on European goods was still in the works. The index last closed 0.2% lower with most regional bourses in red, but on a weekly basis, the STOXX index was on track for modest gains. 'It's hard to spin it as a good deal, but it would at least avoid much higher US tariffs and retaliation from the EU,' said Jack Allen-Reynolds, deputy chief euro zone economist at Capital Economics. 'The reported deal with the US would take a major downside risk off the table for now, weakening the case for further interest rate cuts.' Also weighing on stocks were elevated bond yields that got a lift after the European Central Bank's comments on Thursday tempered expectations of imminent interest rate cuts. Meanwhile, corporate earnings were in full swing. Puma was the biggest percentage loser on the benchmark index, falling 16%, its largest daily drop in more than four months. The sportswear brand cut its full-year outlook and reported weaker-than-expected quarterly results. London-listed sports retailer JD Sports slipped 0.7% after Puma's results. On the flip side, LVMH gained 3.9% after the French luxury group reported quarterly results, with analysts pointing to hopes on the horizon as the group said it saw signs of recovery in the Chinese market. The broader luxury index rose 1.8% and was the top sectoral performer. Automobile stocks gained 1.4%, boosted by Volkswagen's 4.6% rise after the CEO of Europe's biggest carmaker said cost cuts must be accelerated in response to tariffs. Earlier in the session, shares took a hit on the company's slashed full-year sales and profit margin forecasts.
