Posts Tagged ‘Microsoft’

Metasploit architect HD Moore has let it slip that he has discovered a major vulnerability affecting a wide range of Windows applications. This vulnerability, not unlike one patched in the Windows version of iTunes a few months ago affects around 40 applications including Windows Explorer, which is a major component of Windows.

He says he discovered this exploit while researching the Windows Shortcut bug that was recently the subject of an out of band patch by Microsoft.

Moore suggested a workaround, stating, “Users can block outbound SMB [by blocking TCP ports] 139 and 445, and disable the WebDAV client [in Windows] to prevent these flaws from being exploited from outside of their local network.”

[via ComputerWorld]

In a fairly hefty Patch Tuesday, Microsoft put out fixes for 34 different Windows vulnerabilities as described in their monthly bulletin found here. There are a total of 14 “critical” patches, 15 if you count this month’s Malicious Software Removal tool.

Many of these vulnerabilities can be exploited by opening specially crafted files, but some are as easy to exploit as using the preview pane in Outlook. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so take a few minutes and run Windows Update when you get a chance.

Microsoft and Epic Games have sat down in their bunker of doom to think of a new way to get gamers involved with the next iteration of Gears of War, while simultaneously donating to a charity.  If you read the title, then you know that they will be letting you decide the fate of the next Carmine brother in Gears of War 3.

Starting July 29th, two shirts will be available for purchase on the Xbox Live Avatar Marketplace.  Both shirts state simple words.  Choose either “Save Carmine” or “Carmine Must Die” and cast your vote for his fate in the game.

A big note here, the proceeds from your shirt purchase (Which is not a real shirt, so why are you buying it?) will trickle out of Microsoft’s and Epic’s hands and right into the open pockets of Penny-Arcade’s Child’s Play Charity.  Personally I want a shirt that says “Schrödinger’s Carmine”