full-disclosure - Windows Automatic Updates WTF?

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Date: Fri, 22 Sep 2006 18:41:49 +0100
From: "Dave \"No, not that one\" Korn" <davek_throwaway@...mail.com>
To: full-disclosure@...ts.grok.org.uk
Subject: Windows Automatic Updates WTF?

    Is anyone else seeing this?

  I just noticed the 'updates waiting to be installed' shield icon in my
systray. Popped it up, chose manual install to see what M$ was trying to
shove down my throat this time. It was offering me the "Mydoom, Zindos, and
Doomjuice Worm Removal Tool (KB836528). The text reads:-

" Size: 119 KB

This tool helps remove the Mydoom.A, Mydoom.B, Mydoom.E, Mydoom.F, Mydoom.J,
Mydoom.L, Mydoom.O, Zindos.A, Doomjuice.A, and Doomjuice.B worms from
infected systems. The appearance of this update means that your machine is
likely infected with one or more of these worms. For more information on
protecting your PC, visit the Microsoft Protect Your PC Web site at
www.microsoft.com/protect.

More information for this update can be found at
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=836528 "

  So, WTF#1 is: what the hell makes them think my utterly clean machine 
could
possibly be infected? What kind of pseudo "detection" technique are they
using?

  And on going to check the KB article, what do I see?

" Article ID : 836528

Last Review : March 8, 2005

This tool is no longer available. It has been replaced by the Microsoft
Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool."

  So WTF#2 is: why the hell are they trying to push obsolete old garbage on
me?

  I'm going to leave my workstation unplugged over the weekend, in case this
is some kind of DRM or WGA update being forced on us under false pretences,
and in case they decide to use their "Sod-what-settings-the-user-chose,
make-them-install-the-update-and-forcibly-reboot-their-machine-losing-any-unsaved-work-in-the-progress" 
remote control feature again.

    cheers,
      DaveK
-- 
Can't think of a witty .sigline today.... 

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