Posted by Virus Bulletin on Aug 11, 2006
As Microsoft plugs security holes, hackers quickly take advantage.
An exploit has been sighted using a vulnerability patched this week, as part of Microsoft's 'Patch Tuesday' set of security updates. The monthly release covered a hefty number of problems, one of which, buffer overflow MS06-040, has since been subject to exploitation, amid fears that further malware using the exploit may soon emerge. Several of the other vulnerabilities had already been taken advantage of by hackers.
The new exploit will only affect XP systems with no service packs installed, and older 2000 and NT systems, so is unlikely to cause general devastation. 'This should serve as a reminder to Windows users everywhere of the need to keep up to date,' said John Hawes, Technical Consultant at Virus Bulletin. 'Microsoft's announcements make it clear just where the security gaps are, and anyone slow to patch them will be an easy target.'
Read Microsoft's announcement of the issue here, and read more about the exploit at vnunet or at ComputerWorld.
Posted on 11 August 2006 by Virus Bulletin
