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Microsoft PPTP Buffer Overflow; VPNs Vulnerable

An anonymous reader writes "According to this InfoWorld article, a buffer overflow exploit has been discovered for Microsoft's PPTP implementation, which leaves Microsoft VPN solutions vulnerable to exploit. This overflow was discovered by the German security firm Phion; they have posted more info on this page." We might as well throw in yet another remote exploit for FrontPage, too. No, not last week's remote exploits - these are new. Coincidentally, the front group Microsoft organized for the purpose of quashing bug disclosure (that is, reducing Microsoft's bad press) is just now getting underway.

3 of 338 comments (clear)

  1. And its a good thing! by capt.Hij · · Score: 5, Insightful
    The other side of the coin is that limited disclosure disarms the script kiddies and cyber vandals by not giving them an exploit on a plate.

    Thank goodness they will be keeping this information from the people who will do bad things with it. I'm sure that the script kiddies would never share this information with each other! Besides the nice people who are installing these systems really should be on a "need to know" basis anyways....

    Screw the end user.

  2. Doomsday? by __aadhrk6380 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Sure, sloppy code and security holes are as bad as watered down drinks at a topless bar, but don't we get paid to stop crap like that from being perpetrated on our networks? Microsoft makes me look like a hero as far as security goes.

    Yes, Mr. Customer, I did charge you quite a bit, but I have enclosed a listing of the bugs and security flaws that I patched while I was here. These are things you usually never know about until you get burned by them, but I feel I owe it to you to stay on top of them and help you stay current...

    Microsoft+Bugs+Patches=Value added for me

    Keep up the good work, Bill!

  3. Re:Slashdot Exclusive: Software Not Perfect by Ralph+Wiggam · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Your sarcasm is noted.

    I write code and I've let more bugs out than I could possibly remember. They happen, it's part of the game. But two things make this type of thing mock-worthy. 1) MS has more net worth than most countries. They need to be held to a standard that their size and resources dictates. 2) Bill has quite publicly stated that security is now their number one priority. I for one have not seen any improvement in that department.

    -B