Cyber security experts around the world have been sounding the alarm for several days. Hackers have found vulnerabilities in Microsoft's Exchange.
Microsoft Corp security program manager Phillip Misner confirmed the discovery of security holes in Microsoft's software on March 2.
Experts suggest that hackers will definitely take advantage of the flaw in order to steal corporate data and demand ransom. This is just a matter of time. Recently, one security firm has counted 10 separate hacking groups using the vulnerabilities.
Microsoft has not given any comments yet. Both the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the FBI also did not immediately respond.
Microsoft has fixed the security holes. However, organizations worldwide have failed to update their software. Germany's officials have said that up to 60,000 networks remain vulnerable.
Experts believe that the sluggish pace of update installation is the result of the complexity of Exchange's architecture.
Groups that lock users out of their devices pose the biggest threat as they demand ransom in digital currency which is hard to track.
Brett Callow, a threat analyst at Emsisoft says that these groups now potentially have access "into a huge number of vulnerable systems." He said that companies who lack the ability or awareness to update their software could be particularly affected. "This is a potentially serious risk to small businesses," Callow underlined.
How can this affect Microsoft shares?
Microsoft shares dropped after Reuters' report on flaws in its software and possible threats from ransom-seeking hackers.
