News

Microsoft Posts Critical Windows Bulletin

A new Microsoft security bulletin includes patches for three Windows flaws, two of them critical problems that can permit attackers to take control of a system over the Internet.

All three flaws that are addressed in bulletin MS05-053 arise from the way Windows renders graphics from Windows Metafile (WMF), Enhanced Metafile (EMF) or both of the image formats. The bulletin posted Tuesday.

The first flaw, involving an unchecked buffer in the rendering of WMF and EMF, is critical for Windows 2000, Windows XP even with Service Pack 2 and Windows Server 2003 even with Service Pack 1.

The second flaw, stemming from an unchecked buffer in WMF rendering, is also critical for Windows 2000, Windows XP SP1 and the gold code version of Windows Server 2003. Windows XP SP2 and Windows Server 2003 SP1 are unaffected by the flaw.

An unchecked buffer in EMF rendering is the source of the third flaw. It is moderate for Windows 2000, Windows XP SP1 and Windows Server 2003. Again, Windows XP SP2 and Windows Server 2003 SP1 are unaffected.

Neither of the critical flaws had been publicly disclosed. The moderate flaw had been disclosed but Microsoft has not received any reports of exploit code being developed for it.

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.

Most   Popular