The Belgian Ministry of the Interior was the victim of a cyberattack in which attackers obtained access in the entire electronic system of the ministry. Belgian experts report that the attack probably started from China, according with Euractiv.
The attack, which was revealed by Cybersecurity Belgium (CCB) technicians in March, first began in April 2019.
The attack kept secret not to reveal the vulnerability of the system until after it has been repaired.
The Home Office asked the CCB to investigate network when Microsoft revealed problems with Exchange, the email system used by many businesses and organizations. According to the Belgian media, the hackers gained access to computer systems taking advantage of an Exchange vulnerability.
Earlier, Microsoft announced that Chinese hackers Hafnium exploited a vulnerability in Exchange to penetrate computer networks worldwide.
The Belgian Ministry of the Interior stated that "the situation is under control: the network has been repaired and the better safety has been restored. No further details could be released due to the ongoing investigation. "
Οι διακομιστές του υπουργείου είναι καλά προστατευμένοι και οι hqckers δεν κατάφεραν να αποκτήσουν πολύ ευαίσθητα δεδομένα, όπως ανέφερε ο διευθυντής επικοινωνιών του υπουργείου Olivier Maerens στο RTBF (Radio Téléparticipants' vision Belge Francophone) on Tuesday.
The federal prosecutor's office has launched an investigation to find out where the hack came from, what data was leaked and whether a foreign state is involved.
According to experts cited by RTBF, the aim of the attack was not to destroy the website or the hackers to request ransom. It was more sophisticated and more targeted, leading them to believe it was espionage.
Maerens said immediate action was taken to prevent the intruder or intruders from gaining access and the security of the server was enhanced.
Earlier in May, another massive cyber attack destroyed Belgium's Belnet network, which links higher education institutions, universities, research centers and public administration.
