A newly discovered security vulnerability in Microsoft SharePoint is sending shockwaves through the global cybersecurity landscape, as hackers actively exploit the flaw to compromise the systems of government agencies, energy firms, universities, and private enterprises worldwide.
The vulnerability, found in on-premise SharePoint servers, allows remote attackers to execute code, steal sensitive data, and embed persistent backdoors, giving them long-term control over infected systems.
Exploitation Already Underway
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) confirmed that the vulnerability is being actively exploited and has urged organizations to immediately patch their servers. Microsoft also acknowledged the breach in a statement quoted by Bloomberg, noting that it had rolled out an emergency security patch for affected systems.
“We have released security updates to address this issue and urge customers to apply them immediately,” Microsoft said, while adding that additional security updates are in development.
However, cybersecurity researchers warn that patching alone may not be sufficient if the attackers have already gained deep access. According to threat analysts, some hackers may have stolen authentication keys or installed stealth malware, allowing continued access even after updates are applied.
Global Exposure: Over 10,000 Systems at Risk
According to Censys, a cybersecurity firm that tracks internet-facing systems, more than 10,000 vulnerable SharePoint servers remain exposed globally. The highest concentration of affected systems is in the United States, followed by the Netherlands, United Kingdom, and Canada.
“This is a dream scenario for ransomware groups,” said Silas Cutler, a researcher at Censys. “We expect a surge in exploitation attempts in the coming days.”
The vulnerability is now considered a critical vector for potential ransomware attacks, data exfiltration, and espionage, especially for high-value organizations like government contractors and financial institutions.
Experts Sound the Alarm
The danger posed by this exploit is not hypothetical. In addition to CISA’s alert, security firms such as Palo Alto Networks have observed real-world attacks in progress, classifying the vulnerability as a “serious and active threat.”
Google’s Threat Analysis Group (TAG) also issued a stark warning, highlighting that the flaw could enable unauthenticated, persistent access to critical systems, posing “a significant risk to organizations.”
“When attackers gain control of SharePoint, it’s like compromising the digital nerve center of an organization,” said Gene Yu, CEO of Singapore-based cyber incident response firm Blackpanda, in an interview with The Washington Post. “Everything from internal communication to strategic documentation could be exposed.”
Why It Matters Even in Nigeria
The implications of this breach extend far beyond North America and Europe. In Nigeria, many large corporations, government agencies, and universities still rely on on-premise SharePoint systems for internal document management and collaboration — often due to limited broadband access, budget constraints, or data residency requirements that discourage full cloud migration.
For CIOs and CISOs in such environments, the stakes are high.
“This is a wake-up call for Nigerian organizations that still operate legacy or poorly maintained enterprise infrastructure,” said Michael Ojeh, a cybersecurity consultant based in Lagos. “You don’t just patch and move on you investigate, monitor, and assume compromise.”
Microsoft Under Renewed Scrutiny
This breach comes amid rising criticism of Microsoft’s internal security practices. In March 2025, Microsoft revealed that state-sponsored Chinese hackers had exploited weaknesses in its cloud and remote access services to target both U.S. and foreign entities.
A Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB) report last year labeled Microsoft’s security culture as “inadequate”, particularly after a 2023 attack on its Exchange Online mail systems compromised 22 U.S. government agencies, including communications involving high-ranking officials such as former U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.
What You Should Do Now
- Apply Microsoft’s latest SharePoint security patches immediately.
- Conduct internal audits to detect suspicious or unauthorized access.
- Check for signs of persistent threats such as embedded scripts or unauthorized admin users.
- Monitor network traffic for outbound connections to unknown servers.
- Consider segmenting SharePoint servers from critical infrastructure.
- If compromise is suspected, initiate incident response protocols immediately.
