Microsoft on Wednesday urged users of Windows-powered computers to install a freshly released patch to thwart hackers trying to take advantage of a potentially serious flaw in the operating system.
The US software colossus said in a post that hackers could take advantage of the “PrintNightmare” flaw to gain control of computers through the print spooler feature used in workplaces for network printers.
“An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code with system privileges,” Microsoft said in an online message about a patch released late Tuesday.
“An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.”
Microsoft called for computer users to immediately install patches, saying all versions of Windows are vulnerable but not all have security updates available yet.
The flaw at issue involves printer software and has been taken advantage of by hackers, according to posts by cybersecurity researchers.
Microsoft warns of PrintNightmare vulnerability due to flaw in Windows Print Spooler
© 2021 AFP
Citation:
Microsoft patches ‘PrintNightmare’ flaw in Windows (2021, July 8)
retrieved 8 July 2021
from https://techxplore.com/news/2021-07-microsoft-patches-printnightmare-flaw-windows.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no
part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.
For all the latest Technology News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
