Chinese-linked hackers compromise ConnectWise, target hundreds in global attack, Microsoft says

Oct 21 (Reuters) A Chinese-linked hacking group used an AI-driven penetration testing tool to compromise IT services firm ConnectWise as part of ​a campaign that targeted hundreds of organizations ‌globally, Microsoft said on Wednesday. ConnectWise did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Microsoft s conclusions, although a statement posted to the company s website on October 16 said ‌it ​was investigating recent attempts of unauthorized ⁠access associated with the ⁠ConnectWise Cloud Backup environment. The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Beijing regularly denies conducting or condoning ​cyber-enabled data theft. The hackers, which Microsoft tracks as Storm-0940, used an open-source penetration testing framework called ⁠ARTEX to carry out the ⁠campaign, Microsoft said. There are multiple tools ​used to conduct penetration testing, a form of legitimate ​testing of the security of networks or ‌services. ARTEX allows u