Microsoft has released a fix for a critical vulnerability dubbed PrintNightmare.

It impacts the Windows Print Spooler service, the queuing software that manages printing in an office, and improperly performs privileged file operations.

Microsoft explains: “An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code with system privileges.

“An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.”

The company has released patches for as far back as Windows 7.

“We recommend that you install these updates immediately,” Microsoft stresses.