Microsoft pushes out Windows patch ahead of time

calidan · Jan 5, 2006, 09:56 PM

update Microsoft plans to release a fix for a serious security vulnerability in Windows on Thursday, several days before the patch's scheduled delivery.

The company is breaking with its monthly patch cycle because it completed testing of the security update earlier than it anticipated, it said in a note on its Web site. "In addition, Microsoft is releasing the update early in response to strong customer sentiment that the release should be made available as soon as possible," the company said.

The security update, originally scheduled for Tuesday, fixes a vulnerability in the way Windows renders Windows Meta File images. The bug was discovered last week and is increasingly being used in what Microsoft calls "malicious and criminal attacks on computer users."

Critics had called for Microsoft to release the patch as soon as possible. With people unable to patch their systems, the flaw could provide an opportunity for cybercriminals to launch increasingly sophisticated attacks on users, they have said.
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Read More / Source: News.com

Iria · Jan 5, 2006, 11:26 PM

It looks like Microsoft, or the media, can't make up its mind. Because this ZDNet story says the patch was an inadvertant leak. But the advisory page still says it's today.

calidan · Jan 5, 2006, 11:36 PM

I went to Microsoft Update and patched. That just reminds me, I need to restart.

Iria · Jan 6, 2006, 12:00 AM

Yeah, so did I. I wasn't that worried anyway, since my AV is listed as covering all variants. It looks like ZDNet needs to talk to News.com (heh). Funny, since they are affiliated.

Matth · Jan 6, 2006, 04:11 PM

It IS now on Windowsupdate!

And yes, my antivirus trapped the test example I tried, though that was just one layer of defence in addition to the unregister DLL, Ilfak's patch and cranking up hardware DEP to cover all programs other than a few exceptions.

Jan 5, 2006, 09:56 PM	#1
calidan Frozen in Carbonite Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 1,409 Rep Power: 57 System Specs	Microsoft pushes out Windows patch ahead of time update Microsoft plans to release a fix for a serious security vulnerability in Windows on Thursday, several days before the patch's scheduled delivery. The company is breaking with its monthly patch cycle because it completed testing of the security update earlier than it anticipated, it said in a note on its Web site. "In addition, Microsoft is releasing the update early in response to strong customer sentiment that the release should be made available as soon as possible," the company said. The security update, originally scheduled for Tuesday, fixes a vulnerability in the way Windows renders Windows Meta File images. The bug was discovered last week and is increasingly being used in what Microsoft calls "malicious and criminal attacks on computer users." Critics had called for Microsoft to release the patch as soon as possible. With people unable to patch their systems, the flaw could provide an opportunity for cybercriminals to launch increasingly sophisticated attacks on users, they have said. ___________ Read More / Source: News.com __________________ Steam Community :: ID :: calidan "Don't try to be like Jackie. There is only one Jackie.... Study computers instead." - Jackie Chan

Jan 5, 2006, 11:36 PM	Thread Starter #3
calidan Frozen in Carbonite Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 1,409 Rep Power: 57 System Specs	I went to Microsoft Update and patched. That just reminds me, I need to restart. __________________ Steam Community :: ID :: calidan "Don't try to be like Jackie. There is only one Jackie.... Study computers instead." - Jackie Chan

Jan 5, 2006, 11:26 PM	#2
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 87	It looks like Microsoft, or the media, can't make up its mind. Because this ZDNet story says the patch was an inadvertant leak. But the advisory page still says it's today.

Jan 6, 2006, 12:00 AM	#4
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 87	Yeah, so did I. I wasn't that worried anyway, since my AV is listed as covering all variants. It looks like ZDNet needs to talk to News.com (heh). Funny, since they are affiliated.

Jan 6, 2006, 04:11 PM	#5
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,411 Rep Power: 91 System Specs	It IS now on Windowsupdate! And yes, my antivirus trapped the test example I tried, though that was just one layer of defence in addition to the unregister DLL, Ilfak's patch and cranking up hardware DEP to cover all programs other than a few exceptions.