Windows XP: Microsoft Releases Critical Patch MS08-067

Posted by Henry 24 October, 2008

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Today Microsoft surprised everyone with release of its latest security patch for Windows XP customers. MS08-067 is a patch for a vulnerability in RPC Service. RPC is a critical Windows XP service that allows programmers to run code locally or remotely.

Normally Microsoft releases all its security patches on 2nd Tuesday of each month. That is why it is called “Patch Tuesday” by Systems Administrators. This is first emergency patch release by Microsoft since April 2007.

Here is an excerpt from Microsoft Website:

This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in the Server service. The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if an affected system received a specially crafted RPC request. On Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 systems, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability without authentication to run arbitrary code. It is possible that this vulnerability could be used in the crafting of a wormable exploit. Firewall best practices and standard default firewall configurations can help protect network resources from attacks that originate outside the enterprise perimeter.

This security update is rated Critical for all supported editions of Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and rated Important for all supported editions of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.

Good news is that there have been only very limited and targeted attacks to date. Also another new thing this time is that in combating vulnerability, Microsoft relied only on the feedback from its customers. which is good and new for Microsoft.