Microsoft Exchange server vulnerability, hackers launch ransomware attack

A new ransomware called Dearcry exploits a security vulnerability in Microsoft Exchange servers to deploy a damaging attack, Microsoft said today.

Microsoft and other security personnel said the ransomware Dearcry appeared on a server compromised by a Chinese hacker group.

Microsoft SecurityIntelligence tweeted (Twitter), “We have detected the new ransomware on an unpatched, locally deployed Exchange server and have now successfully intercepted it.”

Other researchers, including ID Ransomware founder Michael Gillespie, noted yesterday that the software triggered a new wave of ransomware attacks, causing computer systems to be encrypted and demanding ransom payments from users.

This is the latest symptom of a security vulnerability announced by Microsoft this month that could become available to various Hackers, cyber criminals and cyber espionage.