Windows 7 news (may affect Vista as well)
Sept 14, 2009 10:41:22 GMT
Post by CharlieChomper on Sept 14, 2009 10:41:22 GMT
Under the category of problems that were thought resolved and one would hope remained that way, Microsoft has somehow reintroduced an old security vulnerability within Windows 7 that could cause someone (for whatever reason, including just spite/revenge) to BSOD a system remotely from another system (via the ever-popular DDOS attack method...).
It appears to be the result of their having rewritten the handling of the TCP/IP "stack" (which is a key protocol that allows you to get online) and the SMB2 "stack" (which is used more for things like fileservers).
However, it does not appear to end there--this problem is suspected of likewise affecting both Vista as well as Server2008, given their handling of the SMB2 "stack". However, Win7 is so far the only one I've seen an actual, confirmed, security notice with respect to this issue (at the moment, again, Vista and 2008, given how they're structured are only suspected--just as it would appear likely that if it turns out to be the case, if it's "only" that one stack, it may be limited to a local network problem--but again, until/unless there is something more definite to confirms this, it remains only current speculation at the moment).
During the `90s, when this was more of an issue (albeit, most users would not have had reason to have had to deal with it, much less fully be aware of it, as it was mostly limited to the nightmare known as Windows NT), it was a common enough issue or concern that it actually inspired its own "drinking game".
Update: Since this news was first released, some within just the tech/techie communties have attempted to check Vista and were able to confirm that this issue appears to exist within that operating system as well (complete with screenshots).
It appears to be the result of their having rewritten the handling of the TCP/IP "stack" (which is a key protocol that allows you to get online) and the SMB2 "stack" (which is used more for things like fileservers).
However, it does not appear to end there--this problem is suspected of likewise affecting both Vista as well as Server2008, given their handling of the SMB2 "stack". However, Win7 is so far the only one I've seen an actual, confirmed, security notice with respect to this issue (at the moment, again, Vista and 2008, given how they're structured are only suspected--just as it would appear likely that if it turns out to be the case, if it's "only" that one stack, it may be limited to a local network problem--but again, until/unless there is something more definite to confirms this, it remains only current speculation at the moment).
During the `90s, when this was more of an issue (albeit, most users would not have had reason to have had to deal with it, much less fully be aware of it, as it was mostly limited to the nightmare known as Windows NT), it was a common enough issue or concern that it actually inspired its own "drinking game".
Update: Since this news was first released, some within just the tech/techie communties have attempted to check Vista and were able to confirm that this issue appears to exist within that operating system as well (complete with screenshots).
