Hackers infiltrated a software company used by thousands of companies and government agencies and were then able to compromise the computer systems of its customers, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.
Four details:
1. The hackers built a back door into Austin, Texas-based SolarWinds' Orion software, which served as a vehicle for access to customer networks. The affected software connected to a hacker-controlled server allowing more attacks and data thefts.
2. SolarWinds delivered vulnerability updates to 18,000 customers between March and June. An investigation has not pinpointed the number of victims.
3. The company supports 400 of the Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Treasury Department.
4. SolarWinds said its Microsoft emails were also compromised.