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Microsoft Updates DirectX, Patches Windows
by Arie Slob
Hello Windows users,
 This week, Microsoft released DirectX® 9.0b End-User Runtime.
Microsoft DirectX 9.0b End-User Runtime will update your current version of DirectX — the core Windows® technology that drives high-speed multimedia and games on the PC.
Microsoft DirectX is a group of technologies designed to make Windows-based computers an ideal platform for running and displaying applications rich in multimedia elements such as full-color graphics, video, 3D animation, and rich audio. DirectX 9.0b includes security and performance updates, along with many new features across all technologies, which can be accessed by applications using the DirectX 9.0 APIs.
This version contains the security fix for the Unchecked Buffer in DirectX, a serious security flaw Microsoft also reported this week.
System Requirements
Supported Operating Systems: Windows 2000, Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows ME, Windows XP
Download
You can download the English Setup [292 KB] file, this will update your current DirectX to version 9.0b. System Administrators can download the DirectX 9.0b redist [31.8 MB] version, this is the full verion which will install on all supported operating systems.
Other languages are available at the Microsoft download Web site.
Note: The DirectX 9.0b runtime cannot be uninstalled. Microsoft recommends Windows Me and Windows XP users create a "System Restore" point before installing. For information on creating a restore point, please refer to the following Microsoft Knowledge Base articles:
This new version of DirectX contains a security patch for the DirectShow technology, which is at the heart of yet another critical Windows vulnerability Microsoft made public this week. Affecting all versions of Windows, including the new Server 2003, the flaw could allow a malicious user to execute code on a non-patched Windows.
For more information about this security issue, read the security bulletin below.
Microsoft Security
Unchecked Buffer in DirectX Could Enable System Compromise
Microsoft issued a patch for all Microsoft Windows versions because they contain a DirectX component containing two bugs that could Allow an attacker to execute code on a user's system.
Severity Rating: Critical
Affected Software Versions
- Microsoft DirectX 5.2 on Windows 98
- Microsoft DirectX 6.1 on Windows 98 SE
- Microsoft DirectX 7.0a on Windows Millennium Edition
- Microsoft DirectX 7.0 on Windows 2000
- Microsoft DirectX 8.1 on Windows XP
- Microsoft DirectX 8.1 on Windows Server 2003
- Microsoft DirectX 9.0a when installed on Windows Millennium Edition
- Microsoft DirectX 9.0a when installed on Windows 2000
- Microsoft DirectX 9.0a when installed on Windows XP
- Microsoft DirectX 9.0a when installed on Windows Server 2003
- Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 with either Windows Media Player 6.4 or Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 installed.
- Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, Terminal Server Edition with either Windows Media Player 6.4 or Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 installed.
More...
Flaw in Windows Function Could Allow Denial of Service
Microsoft issued a patch for Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Server and Terminal Server Edition because they contain a flaw that could cause a denial of service vulnerability.
Severity Rating: Moderate
Affected Software Versions
- Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Server
- Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Terminal Server Edition
More...
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Web Site Updates
These pages were added/updated in the past week. Information on previously updated/added pages is available on the What's New? page for 1 month.
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Added: Microsoft Releases DirectX 9.0b End-User Runtime
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Windows XP
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Updated: Improve Boot Performance
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Highlights
Windows XP Update: Advanced Networking Pack for Windows XP
The Advanced Networking Pack for Windows XP is a set of platform technologies designed to run on Windows XP SP1 to enable the use and deployment of distributed, peer-to-peer applications based on Internet standards. The update includes a new version of the IPv6 stack, including support for NAT traversal for IPv6 applications. An IPv6 firewall is included to protect the end-user's machine from unsolicited IPv6 traffic, while the peer-to-peer platform makes it simple to write distributed solutions. For more information about this issue, read Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 817778. For more info, read the Advanced Networking Pack for Windows XP F.A.Q.
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26 July 2003, Vol 6 No. 27
