Cybersecurity firms and Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT) see hackers linked to China and other governments among a growing mix of cyberattackers seeking to exploit a widespread and severe vulnerability in computer server software, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• Both Microsoft and cybersecurity firm Mandiant observed hacking groups linked to China and Iran launching attacks that exploit the flaw in Log4j, a free bit of code that logs activity in computer networks and applications.

• Microsoft also saw nation-backed hackers from North Korea and Turkey using the attack. Some attackers appear to be experimenting with the attack; others use it to break into online targets.

• Government-sponsored hackers are often among the best-resourced and most capable, analysts say.

• One of the groups exploiting the security hole in Log4j is the same China-backed group linked to a widespread attack on Microsoft Exchange servers earlier this year.

• Researchers find the Log4j flaw particularly worrying because the free Java-based software exists in everything from security software to networking tools to videogame servers.

• Price Action: MSFT shares closed higher by 1.92% at $334.65 on Wednesday.

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