Solving the "Print Nightmare"
As you may be aware, Microsoft™ recently announced an issue with the Windows™ Print Spooler. We are seeing cases where this issue is having a performance impact on our customers’ fax environments. Please read the following information to determine if your environment could be affected and our recommended solution.
WHO IS AFFECTED:
All users of RightFax™, Biscom™, and FaxCore™ on-premise fax servers, and users of stratafax™ and stratafax Production Services (SPS) are impacted by this issue.
ISSUE:
According to Microsoft, “A remote code execution vulnerability exists when the Windows Print Spooler service improperly performs privileged file operations. 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.”
This issue is more commonly known as “PrintNightmare.”
Initially, Microsoft recommended disabling the Windows Print Spooler as a short-term preventative measure. However, most fax servers rely on the Windows Print Spooler in some capacity.
For users of RightFax™, Biscom™, and FaxCore™ fax servers, we are seeing cases where disabling the Windows Print Spooler is causing Office document and PDF files to hang in a status of “In Conversion” or conversion failures, as well as issues with auto-printing and production printing.
For stratafax users, we are seeing issues with attachment conversions via the stratafax IP Printer and printing from the Web Client.
Disabling the Print Spooler may also affect the fax functionality for customers using other fax inputs through a printer driver such as HPFAX, DocFlow (with Biscom), or Production Printer (with FaxCore).
RECOMMENDED SOLUTION:
In all cases, our recommendation is not to disable the Print Spooler, but rather install the Microsoft Windows Cumulative Update on your servers and workstations as soon as possible. This update was released by Microsoft on July 7, 2021. You can learn more here: https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34527.
For more information, or for help with this issue, please contact Instant InfoSystems Technical Support at (310) 750-7209 or support@InstantInfo.com.
If you are considering a migration from your current on-premise fax server to a cloud-based fax solution, please give us a call at (310) 750-7200, or email us at info@InstantInfo.com. One of our fax specialists will be happy to give you a free assessment and consultation on the best cloud fax solution for you.
*Instant InfoSystems is an independent provider of services and support for RightFax. RightFax is a registered trademark of OpenText Corporation. Instant InfoSystems is not an authorized partner of OpenText or reseller of OpenText products.
