A Microsoft patch meant to fix critical security flaws in Windows
2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 is causing trouble for some users, the company said on Friday.The patch was released on Tuesday to fix four Windows flaws, including one that experts predict will be exploited by a worm in the coming days. The flaw, tagged "critical" by Microsoft, lies in a Windows component for transaction processing called the Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator, or MSDTC.
Installing the patch can cause serious problems, Microsoft said in an advisory posted to its Web site. The patch could lock users out of their PC, prevent the Windows Firewall from starting, block certain applications from running or installing, and empty the network connections folder, among other things, the software maker said.
The trouble appears to occur only when default permission settings on a Windows directory have been changed, according to Microsoft. The software maker has received "limited reports" of problems from customers but is still investigating the issue, a representative said.
Even if users experience trouble after installing the patch, they will still be protected against any attack exploiting the Windows flaw, a Microsoft representative said. The patch was delivered with Microsoft security bulletin MS05-051.
To resolve any problems caused by the MS05-051 patch, users should restore the default permissions for the Windows folder and the COM+ catalogue. A guide is available on the Microsoft Web site, and steps start with changing the permissions on the "registration" folder in the Windows directory.
Talkback
"...they will still be protected against any attack exploiting the Windows flaw..."
Well with a Firewall down that's not going to be much of a concern is it?
Microsoft back to their old ways with a vengeance................
The trouble, inconvenience & cost of sorting out this latest pyramid sized foul-up.....
Will those arrogant blanks at Microsoft never learn???????????????
Probably not..................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
How long are people going to put up with this? Will MS
ever be held responsible for their flawed products?
Good grief - surely there are not many viruses out there with consequences as bad as this patch! Well done Microsoft, thanks for reminding us once again of the standards we can expect from you!
Incredibly irresponsible journalism. Trying to scare people off patching. ZD just officially made itself part of the problem.
Not irresponsible. It has completely taken out my internet connection. It worked last night OK, after updates, wouldn't work at all.
I have had to uninstall and reinstall my modem twice and I'm off now to try and put it right.
Microsoft have spent years worming their way to world domination, eagerly supported by nearly everyone in nearly every country. Why should they care? The masses will moan today and forget tomorrow.
Buy yourselves a Mac or trust to Linux and through the rubbish in the bin. Then there will nothing to complain about.