Microsoft issued an emergency fix to close off a vulnerability in its SharePoint software that hackers have exploited to carry out widespread attacks on businesses and at least some federal agencies.

Microsoft has issued an alert about “active attacks” on server software used by government agencies and businesses to share documents within organizations, and recommended security updates that customers should apply immediately.

Microsoft Corp. advirtió que piratas informáticos están atacando activamente a los clientes de su software de gestión de documentos SharePoint, y los investigadores de seguridad han señalado el riesgo de que se produzcan violaciones de seguridad a gran escala en todo el mundo.

Researchers first uncovered a sweeping cyber espionage operation targeting Microsoft server software affecting at least 100 organisations.