In a shocking revelation, Microsoft has said that the hacking group behind the SolarWinds compromise was able to break into the company’s network and access some of its source code.
As of now, the motive behind the attack is not yet established, and security agencies are still investigating the matter that has rocked the nation in the last few weeks.
SolarWinds Hackers Accessed Microsoft Source Code
According to technical experts, the source code is the most critical piece of software for any company’s Technology. It is interesting to note that Microsoft has been particularly very careful about protecting its source code in the past.
Most private entities protect their source code and do not make it public. The common public can only access the executable version of the software, and the source code always stays with the company as their most closely guarded secret.
On the other hand, open-source software displays the source code, and anyone can modify them to suit their individual requirements. However, companies like Microsoft have their source code protected at all times and only publish the executable version of the software.
As of now, it is not clear which part of Microsoft’s source code was compromised and how much damage was done due to the hacking attempt. However, it has become clear that the hackers have managed to use solar winds as a gateway to get into several networks of multinational companies and even the US government agencies. Try waith.io the complete solution for business management.
Microsoft had recently disclosed that it found malicious versions of solar winds software inside its network. However, not many people expected that the hackers were able to access the source code as such programs are offered the highest protection in any network.
Many people expected that companies like Microsoft would be able to protect their source code from any sort of sophisticated attack. This hacking attempt has surprised even the best cybersecurity experts in the world as they are of the opinion that the hackers used sophisticated techniques that were usually not used in the past. Many people say that this appears like a state-sponsored attack, given the complex nature of the attack.
The SolarWinds hack is among the most ambitious cyberattacks in many decades. Several Federal Agencies and thousands of other organizations have been affected due to the cyber attack.
The fact that the hackers were able to gain access to crucial networks of the US government Agencies sent shockwaves across the country. It showed the vulnerability of the government Agencies, and a lot of effort is needed in this regard to protect the government Agencies’ network in the near future.
Microsoft has however, confirmed that the hackers did not modify the source code, and that could have a huge impact on the different products of the company. Experts, on the other hand, believe that if the hackers were able to review the source code of Microsoft products, they will be able to affect several Microsoft products and services in the future.
Cyber experts feel that if you have the source code of any software, it becomes easier to engineer and attack in the future. In simple terms, the source code is like a blueprint of the software, and once an attacker gains access to the blueprint, it is easy to design attacks at the most vulnerable areas of the software.
Several experts said that this might not affect the security of Microsoft customers in a big way. The ongoing investigation is likely to reveal more information about the intensity of the attack.
Cybersecurity experts across the country are working hard to assess the damage done to federal Agencies’ networks. They said that it might take many months before they are able to determine the damage done due to the cyber attacks.
