Security researchers have raised an alarm over a security flaw known as PrintNightmare on Microsoft Windows, which can affect the Windows Print Spooler service, thereby making the operating system vulnerable to hackers.
Microsoft has announced that Windows users install an update to prevent hackers from installing programs, view and delete data, or even create new user accounts with full user rights to curb damage that may occur.
Before the announcement from Microsoft, Researchers at cybersecurity company Sangfor had mistakenly published a step-by-step guide on how to exploit the vulnerability in May. Although it was later deleted, it was already too late as developer site GitHub had republished it. The guide uncovered vulnerabilities in Print Spooler, which allows multiple users to access a printer.
Both Windows 10 and Windows 7 are affected and contrary to a statement from the company last year that there will be no more updates for its 12-year old Windows 7, this broke the rule. Updates for Windows Server 2016, Windows 10, version 1607, and Windows Server 2012 will be “expected soon,” it said. “We recommend that you install these updates immediately,” the company said.
The advantage of the update is that it comes along with solutions to previous security issues too. A patch for Windows 11 was also announced to come soon although it’s already available to beta testers.
