Microsoft has finally re-released a critical security
patch for its Internet Explorer browser after an earlier version
caused the browser to crash.
The re-release of security patch MS06-042 was promised earlier
this week, but the software giant postponed the release, despite
admitting that the crash was “exploitable”.
The MS06-042 update was originally issued to fix a critical bug
that could let hackers use the Internet Explorer browser to take
over users’ machines. The problem affects IE 6 with Service Pack 1
on Windows XP and Windows 2000 systems.
But Microsoft was later forced to issue an advisory admitting
that the patch could crash the browser when some websites are
visited and promising a re-release. The re-release was postponed
after problems with it emerged the night before it was due to be
issued.
“Providing the update in its current state would have resulted
in customers being unable to deploy the update,” Microsoft
said.
A post on the Microsoft Security Response Centre blog notes
explains that the software firm had “resolved the issues that
delayed the re-release” and was now issuing the revised patch.
The last-minute hitch had centred on background technology in
Microsoft’s Baseline Security Analyzer and Inventory Tool for
Microsoft Updates, the company said.
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