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Microsoft issues patch to counter malicious code

Code written to test a hole in software from Microsoft escaped into the hands of hackers.

Federal News Network Staff

March 19, 2012 7:57 am

< a min read

Code written to test a hole in software from Microsoft escaped into the hands of hackers. Microsoft wrote the test code in conjunction with a patch it was preparing to release. The company said it shared the test code with partner companies in its Microsoft Active Protection Program.

Yunsun Wee, director of Microsoft’s Trustworthy Computing program, said the company is investigating how the test code got loose. In the meantime, Microsoft issued a one-click-to-install patch for customers who won’t want to take the time to do extensive testing, knowing malicious code is in the wild.

This story is part of Federal News Radio’s daily Cybersecurity Update. For more cybersecurity news, click here.