Microsoft yesterday re-patched Internet Explorer, the third time it's been forced to repair one of the updates from its largest-ever bug fix, which was delivered on Oct. 13.
Monday's fix targeted MS09-054, the update that patched four vulnerabilities, all "critical," in Internet Explorer (IE). According to Christopher Budd, a spokesman for the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC), the follow-on hotfix patches Web page display problems introduced by the update. Budd downplayed the severity of the problems, saying that the number of users affected was "limited."
[ Learn how to secure your systems with Roger Grimes' Security Adviser blog and newsletter, both from InfoWorld. ]
A document on Microsoft's support site outlined the two issues, one that scrambles Web page elements, while the other spawns a "Type Mismatch" script error on sites that use VBScript or a mix of VBScript and JavaScript.
The new problems can crop up in any still-supported edition of IE, including IE 5.01, IE6, IE7, and the newest version, IE8, on all Windows operating systems, including Windows 7.
The troubles are serious enough to prompt Microsoft to push the re-patch to all users. "We plan to release this update through the same broad release channels as the original security update, MS09-054," Budd said in an entry to the MSRC blog yesterday. "Customers will see [the re-patch] offered by default through Windows Update, Microsoft Update and Automatic Updates."
Computerworld confirmed that Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7 systems that had been fully patched last month were offered Monday's update through Windows Update.
Monday's re-patch was the third correction related to Oct. 13's massive security update , which set records for both the number of separate bulletins (13) and the number of vulnerabilities quashed (34).
On Oct. 14, Microsoft offered up a workaround for a problem with MS09-056, then corrected several errors in MS09-062 last Thursday.
The company also revised an August update, MS09-043, last week to correct a patch-detection error that may have left some corporate users who receive updates via Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) unpatched.
It's not unusual for Microsoft to re-release security updates. In June 2008, for example, the company admitted a patch intended to fix a problem in Windows XP's implementation of Bluetooth didn't work. Microsoft blamed human error for the snafu.
The update for MS09-054 can be downloaded from Microsoft's site, or retrieved using Windows Update or WSUS.
This whitepaper explains the terminology and concepts behind Data Replication technologies and establishes some sizing rules through worked examples. Learn the new paradigm in disaster tolerance—protect data anywhere.
Download now »
Server virtualization is a popular option for dealing with mounting datacenter costs. Another equally promising approach is the use of an Application Delivery Controller. Citrix NetScaler provides a low-cost way for organizations to reduce their server count and accrue cost savings from a reduction in space, cooling, power and personnel.
Download now »
The emergence of WLANs has created a new breed of security threats to enterprise networks.
Included in HP ProCurve WLAN solutions is security technology that alleviates threats from WLANs through:
* Monitoring wireless activity inside and out of the enterprise
* Classifying WLAN transmissions into harmful and harmless
* Preventing transmissions that pose a security threat to the enterprise network
* Locating participating devices for physical remediation
Effectively address data protection challenges, implementing solutions that help store and protect business–critical data while cutting costs and improving efficiency and reliability.
Download now »
Sign up to receive Security Resource Alerts
This white paper provides guidance on how to develop a strategic approach to managing and monitoring logs, a key function required for compliance with many regulatory mandates and a critical defense against security threats.
Download now! »
Learn about the processes and technologies that support security information management (SIM) operations, as well as the business case for SIM. The series examines different options for implementing SIM and gives you evaluation criteria for selecting the best option for your organization.
Download now! »
Learn the strategies, actions, and capabilities that Best-in-Class organizations employ and technologies they choose to obtain superior performance against various security performance metrics. This report provides guidelines for identifying which security solutions to consume as a MSS and defines best practices for choosing and managing MSSPs.
Download now! »
7 Recommendations
