Microsoft Confirms: Ransomware Is Now Actively Targeting SharePoint
Source: The Register – July 24, 2025
In a development that raises new concerns for businesses relying on Microsoft infrastructure, Microsoft has officially confirmed that attackers are now leveraging SharePoint vulnerabilities to launch ransomware campaigns.
As reported by The Register, what began as targeted exploitation of Microsoft SharePoint servers to gain access to corporate environments has now escalated into full-blown ransomware deployments.
This shift signals a disturbing trend in threat actor behavior—one where commonly used business platforms are being systematically compromised not just for access, but for extortion.
SharePoint: A New Ransomware Target
Microsoft acknowledged in a blog update that multiple attacker groups are exploiting vulnerabilities in Microsoft SharePoint to drop remote access tools and ultimately deploy ransomware. The vulnerabilities exploited include known flaws that should be patched but are frequently left exposed due to overlooked systems or unsupported software versions.
Organizations relying on SharePoint for collaboration and document management—especially those using older or misconfigured instances—are now at heightened risk. What was once a productivity enabler has now become a potential liability.
This isn't an isolated incident. Microsoft notes that these campaigns have become "sustained and increasing in frequency," which means attackers are not simply testing the waters—they're diving in.
The Real Problem: “Detect and Respond” Is Too Slow
Despite the presence of endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools in many environments, the SharePoint ransomware trend highlights the growing weakness of traditional "detect and respond" cybersecurity models.
By the time a threat is detected, the attacker may have already exfiltrated data, encrypted files, or moved laterally within the network. Even AI-enhanced detection tools struggle against sophisticated attacks that utilize legitimate admin tools and living-off-the-land binaries (LOLBins).
EDR, while valuable, is fundamentally reactive. And in today's threat landscape, reaction isn't good enough.
Prevention Requires a New Approach: Isolation and Containment
To prevent ransomware from ever executing—regardless of whether it’s dropped via a SharePoint exploit, email attachment, or remote access tool—businesses need to shift toward a prevention-first mindset. That’s where AppGuard comes in.
AppGuard is a proven endpoint protection solution with a 10-year track record in classified government use and is now available for commercial deployment. Unlike traditional solutions, AppGuard doesn’t rely on detecting threats. It stops them from executing in the first place through a patented policy enforcement model rooted in isolation and containment.
Here’s what makes AppGuard different:
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Prevents Execution: AppGuard blocks unauthorized processes before they start—no signature updates, no scanning, no behavioral modeling required.
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Shields Mission-Critical Apps: Even if SharePoint or another application is compromised, AppGuard ensures the exploit can't move laterally or deliver a payload.
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Zero Trust at the Process Level: AppGuard enforces policies that isolate system processes from each other, preventing malware from gaining traction.
A Real-World Solution for a Real-World Problem
SharePoint-based ransomware campaigns aren’t theoretical—they’re happening now. And they underscore the urgent need for businesses to revisit their cybersecurity posture.
The question isn’t whether your business has detection tools in place—it’s whether your current setup can prevent malware from executing in the first place.
If you're still relying on EDR and hoping for alerts to catch threats before damage is done, you're already behind.
It’s time to move from “Detect and Respond” to “Isolation and Containment.”
Talk with us at CHIPS to see how AppGuard can protect your business from ransomware campaigns—especially those exploiting platforms like SharePoint. Don’t wait until your data is locked and your operations halted. Prevention is possible, and it starts with AppGuard.
Contact CHIPS today. Let’s make your endpoints truly secure.
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