Short answer: Use strong passwords and enable multi-factor authentication to protect your accounts.
TL;DR
- 27 organizations including downstream clients were affected.
- Hacking attempts are ongoing, according to researchers.
- The attacker used automated scripts for quick sign-ins.
What happened?
The attacker used automated scripts to quickly sign into Microsoft 365 and Azure environments. The hacking attempts are still ongoing, and security experts advise using strong passwords and enabling multi-factor authentication to protect accounts.
Key facts
| Reported by | Cybersecurity Dive |
|---|---|
| Date reported | 04 Nov 2026 |
How it works
They target 45 apps at 18 organizations, successfully signing in 33 of them. Then, they access 27 organizations, including downstream clients in various sectors.
Timeline
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-11-04 | Reported by Cybersecurity Dive | Cybersecurity Dive |
| 2026-11-11 | This Skillmate explainer published | Skillmate |
How to fix it
- Keep systems and network devices updated and follow vendor security notices.
- Make sure an incident response contact and plan exist before an attack happens.
- Ask your service providers which protections they offer, and test them.
How to detect it
Defenders should watch for unusual logins, especially from virtual private servers in Poland. A rapid burst of sign-ins and fixed retry loops are signs.
What is confirmed
- Reported by Cybersecurity Dive
Why it matters
This matters because it affects companies and users worldwide. For students, understanding such attacks helps in learning about security vulnerabilities and protection measures.
Learn the skills behind this story
Want to understand attacks like this and defend against them? Join Skillmate cybersecurity training or practise hands-on in Skillmate Labs.
FAQ
What is Entra ID?
Entra ID is a Microsoft service that allows applications to sign into Microsoft 365 and Azure environments without a person being present.
How many organizations were targeted?
The attacker targeted about 18 organizations and successfully authenticated at least 33 app registrations.
What kind of data was accessed?
The attacker downloaded 81 files and gained access to about 2,300 mailbox items.
Is this a supply chain attack?
No, the attack is not considered a traditional supply chain attack as it leverages stolen application secrets rather than compromised software updates.
Related Skillmate posts
Sources
- Attacker abuses Microsoft Entra ID to target downstream MSP clients (Cybersecurity Dive)
How we wrote this: facts come from the sources above. An on-prem AI model drafted the plain-English parts and every sentence was checked against the sources; unsupported sentences were removed. MITRE mapping is our own judgement.