In a recent revelation, Microsoft has confirmed that Chinese state threat actors are actively targeting and exploiting a dangerous new zero-day vulnerability in SharePoint Server. This vulnerability, known as CVE-2025-53770, enables full remote code execution and affects all supported versions of SharePoint Server. The attacks have been linked to two named Chinese nation-state actors, Linen Typhoon and Violet Typhoon, as well as an actor tracked as Storm-2603.
According to Microsoft, these threat actors are targeting internet-facing SharePoint instances, and the company is also investigating other actors using the exploits. The vulnerabilities bypass previously disclosed flaws and pose a significant risk to organizations using SharePoint. Microsoft has released comprehensive security updates for all supported versions of SharePoint Server to protect customers against these vulnerabilities.
The threat actor naming taxonomy used by Microsoft classifies distinct threat actors by meteorological events, with Typhoon referring to China-based threat actors. Linen Typhoon and Violet Typhoon are two distinct clusters of China-nexus threat activity, with different focuses and targets. Additionally, Storm-2603 is suspected to be a Chinese threat actor involved in stealing machine keys via the SharePoint vulnerabilities.
The implications of these attacks are significant, as they can lead to data theft, password harvesting, and potential ransomware or post-exploitation activities. Organizations, including government agencies, infrastructure, technology, and engineering firms, have been targeted by these attacks. The exploitation of these vulnerabilities is expected to accelerate, with threat actors sharing tooling and tradecraft among themselves.
As the cybersecurity landscape evolves, it is crucial for organizations and individuals to take proactive steps to secure their systems and data. Microsoft recommends applying security updates immediately and following mitigation guidance to protect against these vulnerabilities. The interconnected nature of data and services underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity measures to prevent and mitigate cyber threats.
In light of these developments, it is essential for stakeholders to stay informed about cybersecurity risks, adopt best practices for securing their systems, and collaborate with industry experts to address emerging threats effectively.
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References:
1. [Computer Weekly – Chinese cyber spies among those linked to SharePoint attacks](https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366627767/Chinese-cyber-spies-among-those-linked-to-SharePoint-attacks)
2. [The Verge – Microsoft says Chinese hacking groups are behind SharePoint attacks](https://www.theverge.com/news/711522/microsoft-sharepoint-exploit-china-based-hackers)
3. [BBC News – Microsoft servers hacked by Chinese groups, firm says](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gdnz1nlgyo)
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