Microsoft
Microsoft

Microsoft flaw exploits music files

Critical vulnerability in DirectX could let a hacker run riot

Iain Thomson

Microsoft has warned of a critical flaw in its DirectX multimedia software that could allow a hacker to take control of a PC via a music file.

The company has warned that buffer overruns are possible due to two flaws in its DirectShow software, part of DirectX.

Advertisement

DirectShow handles sound and video, and the flaw can be exploited by either sending a specially prepared Midi file as an email attachment, or by embedding it in a web page.

"Many users will not see multimedia files like this as hostile," said Integralis penetration tester Pete Philips.

"This makes it more likely that they would click on them than an .exe file which is traditionally used by the hacking community."

The flaw affects all versions of DirectX on all Microsoft operating systems, although users of Windows Server 2003 will have less of a problem as the default security settings makes it harder for the malware to run.

If infected, hackers will have access to the PC but will only have user privileges, not full administrator control. A patch is available here.

Microsoft has also released a patch for NT 4, despite the fact that the company no longer provides free support for the operating system.

A problem with the NT 4 Server file management software leaves systems open to denial of service (DoS) attacks.

A cumulative patch has also been issued for SQL Server version 7 and above.

This addresses three problems that could allow malware to launch DoS attacks, cause a buffer overrun or highjack communications between client and server.

  • Have your say
  • Send to a friend
  • Print
  • Digg
  • Reddit
  • Share

Tags:

Do you agree?

Related whitepapers

Related jobs

Most watched

HTC Hero

Hands on with the HTC Hero

V3.co.uk gets a walk through of the Hero, which includes HTC's new Sense overlay for Android

Xperia X1

Video Review: Sony Ericsson Xperia X1

First Looks Editor Ian Williams gets hands on with the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1

IT white papers

Search white papers

Top categories

Poll

Poll: Summer smartphones

Poll: Summer smartphones

Which smartphone will you be taking to the beach this summer?

View poll results

Advertisement

Advertisement

Newsletter signup

Sign up for our range of FREE newsletters:

Existing User

Newsletter user login:

Enter email address to edit your newsletter preferences

Job of the week

Search thousands of IT jobs :

Search thousands of IT jobs:

Advanced search

Hiring now on ComputingCareers:

Related IT jobs

Search thousands of IT jobs :

Search thousands of IT jobs:

Advanced search

Spotlight

HTC Hero

Hands on with the HTC Hero

V3.co.uk gets a walk through of the Hero, which includes...

NetGear ReadyNAS NVX

Review: NetGear ReadyNAS NVX

NetGear's four-bay compact network-attached storage gets a serious speed boost

AMD

AMD adds to six-core Opteron line up

New HE processors promise even lower power consumption

Adobe Systems

Adobe launches ColdFusion 9 and ColdFusion Builder

Firm promises enhanced developer productivity

Primary Navigation