TikTok has announced that its security team is addressing an issue that enabled hackers to target several prominent celebrity and brand accounts on the platform, including those of Paris Hilton, CNN, and Sony. The ByteDance-owned video app did not disclose specific details about the nature of the attack or the measures it implemented to mitigate it, stating only that it has taken steps to halt the attack and prevent future occurrences.

The attack, previously reported by Semafor and Forbes, seemingly involved malware spread through TikTok's direct messages, which may have impaired the account owners' access to their profiles. The hackers' motives remain unclear, as none of the compromised accounts had started posting new content. In some instances, while the accounts were targeted, they were not fully compromised before TikTok intervened.

According to Semafor, CNN’s account was breached last week, necessitating its temporary suspension for several days. The news organization indicated that it is collaborating with TikTok to implement additional security measures to ensure the account's safety, especially in the lead-up to the U.S. presidential elections.

When asked for further details, TikTok refrained from disclosing specifics about the attack or its countermeasures, aiming to avoid alerting potential malicious actors.

“Our security team is aware of a potential exploit targeting a number of high-profile accounts,” a company spokesperson stated. “We have taken measures to stop this attack and prevent it from happening in the future. We’re working directly with affected account owners to restore access if needed.”

These attacks come at a time when TikTok’s presence in the U.S. is under scrutiny. In April, citing national security concerns, President Biden signed a bill that could force TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app or face a ban in the U.S. If ByteDance does not comply, it will become illegal for app stores to distribute TikTok once the law is enacted.

TikTok has since filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government over this legislation, which is expected to prolong the legal proceedings for many months. Meanwhile, one of TikTok’s previous critics, Donald Trump—who was the first president to attempt to ban the app in the U.S.—has begun using the platform for his campaign.