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Microsoft Refuses To Patch Rootkit-Compromised XP Machines

Posted by timothy on from the define-yourself-as-outside-the-fence dept.

Barence writes "Microsoft has revealed that its latest round of patches won't install on XP machines if they're infected with a rootkit. In February, a security patch left some XP users complaining of endless reboots and Blue Screens of Death. An investigation followed and Microsoft discovered the problems occurred on machines infected with the Alureon rootkit, which interacted badly with patch KB977165 for the Windows kernel. Now Microsoft is blocking PCs with the rootkit from receiving its new patches. 'This security update includes package-detection logic that prevents the installation of the security update if certain abnormal conditions exist on 32-bit systems,' Microsoft cautions in the patch notes."

5 of 330 comments (clear)

  1. The Microsoft way! by Neuroticwhine · · Score: 0, Troll

    Microsoft has always held the moto, "If its broke... dont fix it."

    Why would they change that now?

    1. Re:The Microsoft way! by ciroknight · · Score: 0, Troll

      Now they're doing the right thing and we get news how they refuse to patch the systems which .dll files have been damaged? Welcome to slashdot.

      Why is not patching the system acceptable? Shouldn't it just determine if the DLL was damaged and replace it with the correct, working patched version if it is? Sorry, but automatically throwing their hands up and saying "you're fucked" is the Microsoft shortcut for not being able to fix their own security problems.

      --
      "Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is." G.W.Bush
    2. Re:The Microsoft way! by sopssa · · Score: 0, Troll

      Microsoft isn't a police. They are legally liable if they intentionally damage computer systems.

  2. bargaining by shentino · · Score: 0, Troll

    I'd bet that Microsoft is just using the rootkit as leverage to force people to upgrade.

    If anything this will make them EOL XP even faster.

  3. Re:Makes sense... by NatasRevol · · Score: 0, Troll

    Yes, they are being criticized, and rightly so.

    If Microsoft can detect the rootkit, they can fix it...BEFORE running the patch. It really can't be that hard.

    --
    There are two types of people in the world: Those who crave closure