US Leads Global Surge in SharePoint Zero-Day Attacks: What Every Organization Needs to Know

If you’re responsible for your organization’s digital security—or just want to understand the latest in cyber threats—this story should make you sit up and pay attention. A sophisticated cyberattack has rocked hundreds of organizations worldwide, and the United States sits at the epicenter. Nearly 400 Microsoft SharePoint systems have been compromised by an insidious zero-day vulnerability. The ripple effects? They reach well beyond IT departments, creating urgent questions about national security, the safety of sensitive data, and what’s next for businesses and government agencies.

Let’s break down what happened, why the US is being so heavily targeted, and, most importantly, what you can do right now to protect your organization.

The SharePoint Zero-Day Crisis: A Quick Primer

First, let’s untangle the jargon.

What Is a Zero-Day Vulnerability?

A zero-day vulnerability is a security flaw that hackers discover before the software manufacturer does. That means no patch, no defenses—and, often, zero warning. By the time organizations realize what’s happening, attackers have already slipped through the cracks.

What Happened with Microsoft SharePoint?

In mid-July 2024, Dutch cybersecurity firm Eye Security uncovered widespread exploitation of a flaw—dubbed ToolShell (CVE-2025-53770/53771)—in Microsoft SharePoint’s on-premises servers. This wasn’t a minor incident:

Eye Security analyzed more than 27,000 SharePoint servers worldwide.
396 systems confirmed compromised within a matter of days.
145 unique organizations in 41 countries hit, with the US accounting for 31% of all known victims.

That’s not just a technical blip; it’s a global alarm bell.

Why SharePoint? Why Now?

You might wonder: why is SharePoint, a tool for document collaboration and team sites, such a magnet for attackers?

SharePoint’s Hidden Value to Hackers

Think of SharePoint as a corporate vault. While it helps teams work together, it also stores a treasure trove of confidential documents, project plans, contracts, and even sensitive government records. For attackers—especially those seeking intelligence or financial gain—it’s not just another server. It’s a gold mine.

The Timing

The exploit went public, and quickly, technical details found their way into open-source hacking tools like Metasploit. Suddenly, what started as a targeted campaign became a global free-for-all. Now, even low-skilled cybercriminals can exploit unpatched systems at the click of a button.

By the Numbers: US Tops the List—But It’s a Global Affair

Let’s look at the impact, country by country:

United States: 31% of known breaches
Mauritius: 8% (surprising, but possibly due to US agencies operating there)
Germany: 7%
France: 5%
Jordan: Two organizations, but hit with a “high volume” of attacks

Sectors Most at Risk

The data tells a clear story about who’s in the crosshairs:

Government organizations: 30% of all breaches
Education: 13%
SaaS providers: 9%
Telecommunications: 4%
Power grids/energy: 4%

Here’s why that matters: these aren’t random companies. They’re pillars of our daily lives—handling everything from power to public health.

Not Random, Not Opportunistic: The Strategy Behind the Attacks

In cybercrime, not all attacks are created equal. Some are scattered “spray and pray” attempts. This isn’t one of those.

A Deliberate, Intelligence-Driven Campaign

According to Lodi Hensen, VP of Security Operations at Eye Security, the attackers were highly selective. They focused on organizations offering “particular strategic or intelligence value.” In plain English: these hackers knew exactly what they wanted, and they went straight for it.

That means:

Critical infrastructure
Government secrets
Educational research
Sensitive industry data

This kind of targeting suggests the work of nation-state actors, and indeed, initial investigations by Microsoft point the finger at China-linked groups: Linen Typhoon, Violet Typhoon, and Storm-2603. However, now that the exploit is public, it’s a free-for-all—criminal gangs, hacktivists, even bored teenagers could get in on the action.

How Mauritius Ended Up on the Hit List

It might seem odd to see Mauritius, a small island nation, ranking just behind the US in breaches. Eye Security speculates this is because US government entities have a strong presence there—making local servers prime targets for espionage.

How the Attack Works: From Zero-Day to Full Compromise

Let’s demystify the technical side—no computer science degree required.

Discovery of the Flaw: Attackers find a hidden weakness in SharePoint’s code.
Zero-Day Exploitation: Because it’s unknown to Microsoft, there’s no fix available. Attackers move fast.
Targeted Scanning: Using automated tools, hackers scan the internet for vulnerable SharePoint servers.
Break-In and Payload Delivery: Once they find a target, malicious code is deployed—often giving full control over the system.
Lateral Movement: Attackers explore internal networks for more valuable assets or sensitive data.

Bottom line: Once inside, attackers can steal, alter, or destroy information, plant ransomware, or use the compromised system as a launchpad for further attacks.

What Sets This Attack Apart: Public Exploit Means Anyone Can Attack

Here’s where it gets scarier.

After Eye Security and other researchers confirmed the vulnerability, details began circulating in public hacking forums. Tools like Metasploit incorporated the exploit, lowering the barrier to entry. You no longer need to be a state-sponsored hacker—anyone with basic skills can try their luck.

This democratization of cybercrime means:

The number of attacks is likely to rise sharply in the coming weeks.
Ransomware and supply chain attacks could follow, leveraging the same vulnerability.

Ripple Effects: Why This Breach Matters for Everyone

It’s tempting to think, “I don’t run a government agency—this isn’t my problem.” Let me explain why that’s a dangerous assumption.

The Domino Effect

Many government and large enterprise SharePoint servers connect to smaller organizations—think partners, contractors, and vendors. Attackers can use compromised systems to “pivot” into less-protected networks.

If you do business with any affected entity—or use SharePoint yourself—it’s time to take notice.

Data at Stake

Classified information
Personal data of employees and citizens
Financial records
Operational blueprints

Any of these, if leaked or tampered with, can lead to lasting reputational and financial harm.

Lessons Learned: What Organizations Should Do NOW

If you’re in IT, security, or leadership, here’s a checklist you can’t afford to ignore.

1. Assume You’ve Been Breached

This may feel drastic, but Eye Security’s advice is clear: act as if attackers are already inside your system.

2. Verify Patch Status

Microsoft has started releasing security updates to address the ToolShell vulnerability. Make sure:

All on-premises SharePoint servers are patched immediately.
Regular patch management procedures are in place—no exceptions.

3. Conduct Thorough Threat Hunting

Don’t just patch and pray. Proactively search for indicators of compromise (IoCs). Eye Security and other organizations have shared detection guidance and technical details.

Look for:

Unusual admin account creation
Mass file downloads or changes
Suspicious outbound traffic

4. Review Access Controls

Audit who has privileged access to your SharePoint systems. Remove unnecessary accounts and enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible.

5. Prepare for Ransomware and Supply Chain Attacks

Once a vulnerability is widely known, attackers often pivot from espionage to profit-driven campaigns. Ensure you have strong backups, incident response plans, and employee training in place.

Insights for Specific Sectors

Government Agencies

Act swiftly: You’re among the top targets.
Coordinate with federal and state cybersecurity agencies like CISA.
Assess supply chain partners: Ensure contractors are following best practices.

Education

Protect research data: Academic institutions are treasure troves for intellectual property theft.
Educate staff and students: Human error remains a common breach point.

SaaS and Power Grid Providers

Supply chain risks: A breach in your environment could impact every customer downstream.
Continuous monitoring: Invest in real-time security analytics.

The Human Side: Why This Story Resonates

Behind every “compromised system” is a real-world impact—citizens whose data is at risk, employees facing uncertainty, IT teams working overtime to patch and investigate.

If you feel overwhelmed, that’s normal. The pace of cyber threats can feel relentless. But the good news? Awareness is the first step toward resilience, and you’re already ahead of the curve just by reading this.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for SharePoint and Cybersecurity?

The SharePoint zero-day is a wake-up call, but it’s not the last of its kind. As attackers become more sophisticated—and once-secret exploits become public—organizations must move from reactive to proactive.

Here’s what to expect:

Ongoing exploitation: As long as unpatched systems exist, attackers will target them.
Wider attack surface: The more organizations rely on digital collaboration tools, the more tempting those tools become for cybercriminals.
Greater focus on supply chain security: Attackers don’t just go after the largest targets; they look for weak links.

So, what’s the most important thing you can do? Foster a culture of continuous vigilance.

FAQs: People Also Ask

Q1: What is the Microsoft SharePoint ToolShell zero-day vulnerability?
A: ToolShell (CVE-2025-53770/53771) is a critical security flaw in on-premises Microsoft SharePoint servers. Attackers exploited it before Microsoft released a patch, enabling them to gain unauthorized access and control.

Q2: Who discovered the SharePoint zero-day attacks?
A: Dutch cybersecurity firm Eye Security identified and analyzed the global wave of attacks. Read more about their findings.

Q3: Why was the US most affected by the SharePoint attack?
A: The US hosts a large number of government and enterprise SharePoint servers, making it a high-value target for attackers seeking sensitive information.

Q4: How can I check if my organization’s SharePoint system is vulnerable?
A: Verify your system’s patch status against the latest Microsoft security advisories. Conduct threat hunts for known indicators of compromise. If unsure, consult a cybersecurity specialist.

Q5: Is the vulnerability still being exploited?
A: Yes. As of July 2024, Eye Security and other experts warn that the number of attacks may increase, especially as the exploit is now part of open-source attack tools.

Q6: What should I do if I think my organization is compromised?
A: Immediately isolate affected systems, apply all necessary patches, and contact a trusted incident response team. Notifying law enforcement and relevant regulatory bodies may be required.

Q7: Where can I find more information on protecting my organization?
A: Visit resources like the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Microsoft Security Response Center.

Final Takeaway: Stay Informed, Stay Secure

The SharePoint zero-day breach is a stark reminder that cyber threats move fast, but so can we. Don’t wait until your organization becomes another statistic. Patch systems, hunt for threats, and build a culture where security is everyone’s responsibility.

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US Leads Global Surge in SharePoint Zero-Day Attacks: What Every Organization Needs to Know