Redmond (WA) - Microsoft released a patch for a critical security hole in its Internet Explorer web browser. The bug could allow hackers to take remote control of someone's computer.

According to an article published by Reuters, Microsoft had knowledge of "public attack utilizing the vulnerability" before the company was able to release the patch. However, the impact on Internet Explorer uses was limited, the story indicated.

Microsoft rates the vulnerability, which is tied to the Vector Markup Language (VML) implementation in Microsoft Windows, as "critical" as it gives gave a pathway for an Internet worm to replicate without any interaction from the individual users.

According to the company, an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights, the firm said.