Italy Sounds the Alarm On Large-scale Computer Hacking Attack

ROME (Reuters). Thousands were hit by a ransomware attack against VMware ESXi servers. This was reported Sunday by Italy’s National Cybersecurity Agency. It warned organizations to take precautions to safeguard their systems.

Roberto Baldoni, ACN director general, said that the hacking attempt was meant to exploit a vulnerability in software. He also stated that it was massive.

VMware spokesmen said that they are aware of the reports and that patches were issued in February 2021, when the vulnerability was discovered. They also urged customers to apply the patch if necessary.

According to the ANSA news agency in Italy, servers were compromised in France, Finland, the United States, and Canada.

Numerous Italian organizations were at risk and many others had been warned to take preventive action.

Telecom Italia customers had reported problems with their internet earlier Sunday. However, the two issues are not related.

U.S. cybersecurity officials stated that they are evaluating the impact of reported incidents.

“CISA is working with our public and private sector partners to assess the impacts of these reported incidents and providing assistance where needed,” According to the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency,

(Reporting by Elvira Polona and KrystalHu; Writing by Keith Weir. Editing by Jan Harvey and Lisa Shumaker. Tom Hogue.