News

Critical Patch Released for Windows Me

Microsoft issued a critical security patch for the Windows Me on Wednesday. The flaw in the Windows Me Help and Support Center could enable code execution.

Although the client operating system was wholly intended for consumer use, many corporate IT departments have found themselves supporting Windows Me in some capacity. A recent ENT reader survey revealed that 13 percent of respondents had to support Windows Me in their environments.

The Windows Me Help and Support Center gives users a central way to access product documentation, hardware compatibility information, Windows Update and online help from Microsoft. But an unchecked buffer in the way Windows Me handles the "hcp://" prefix in a URL link that points to the Help and Support Center creates the vulnerability.

To exploit the flaw, an attacker would have to cause a user to visit a Web page or receive an HTML e-mail containing the malformed URL.

The Microsoft security bulletin and patch may be found at: www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-006.asp.

About the Author

Scott Bekker is editor in chief of Redmond Channel Partner magazine.

Featured

  • Report: Cost, Sustainability Drive DaaS Adoption Beyond Remote Work

    Gartner's 2025 Magic Quadrant for Desktop as a Service reveals that while secure remote access remains a key driver of DaaS adoption, a growing number of deployments now focus on broader efficiency goals.

  • Windows 365 Reserve, Microsoft's Cloud PC Rental Service, Hits Preview

    Microsoft has launched a limited public preview of its new "Windows 365 Reserve" service, which lets organizations rent cloud PC instances in the event their Windows devices are stolen, lost or damaged.

  • Hands-On AI Skills Now Outshine Certs in Salary Stakes

    For AI-related roles, employers are prioritizing verifiable, hands-on abilities over framed certificates -- and they're paying a premium for it.

  • Roadblocks in Enterprise AI: Data and Skills Shortfalls Could Cost Millions

    Businesses risk losing up to $87 million a year if they fail to catch up with AI innovation, according to the Couchbase FY 2026 CIO AI Survey released this month.