SolarWinds hackers studied Microsoft source code for authentication and email

FILE PHOTO: The SolarWinds logo is seen outside its headquarters in Austin, Texas, U.S., December 18, 2020. REUTERS/Sergio Flores/File Photo

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The hackers behind the worst intrusion of U.S. government agencies in years won access to Microsoft's secret source code for authenticating customers, potentially aiding one of their main attack methods.

icrosoft said in a blog post on Thursday that its internal investigation had found the hackers studied parts of the source code instructions for its Azure cloud programs related to identity and security, its Exchange email programs, and Intune management for mobile devices and applications. https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2021/02/18/microsoft-internal-solorigate-investigation-final-update