Researchers find decade-old Windows flaw

An apparently widespread Windows flaw could lead to denial-of-service attacks

Researchers claim to have found a critical vulnerability that jeopardises all Windows operating systems from 2000 onwards.

The flaw was uncovered by server software firm 2X Software, which said that the simple vulnerability could be used in denial-of-service (DoS) attacks against Windows operating systems spanning the past 10 years.

"This is a major problem for potentially tens of millions of devices. Such a vulnerability leaves users open to DoS attacks which can be devastating. Imagine your company servers and PCs being restarted remotely every few minutes," said Paul Gafa, chief technology officer at 2X Software.

"As it affects all the latest versions of the operating system, I expect Microsoft to patch it very quickly. They have already been informed."

2X Software said that Windows 2000, XP, XP Embedded, Server 2003, Vista, Server 2008, Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 are all vulnerable.

Microsoft has reportedly said that it is aware of the problem and is checking its authenticity.