A security patch released by Microsoft last month failed to fully fix a critical flaw in U.S. tech giant's SharePoint server software that had been identified in May, opening the door to a sweeping global cyber espionage operation.

The newly discovered flaw in Microsoft's SharePoint software has allowed hackers to target dozens of companies and organizations. Only a partial fix has been issued.

The hackers behind the initial wave of attacks exploiting a zero-day in Microsoft SharePoint servers have so far primarily targeted government organizations, according to researchers as well as news reports.

Hackers are exploiting a flaw in a commonly used Microsoft program to gain access to passwords, sensitive data and more.

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

A global attack on Microsoft server software used by thousands of government agencies and businesses to share documents within organisations is likely the work of a single actor, a cybersecurity researcher said on Monday.