Microsoft has submitted that in all 32bit versions of Windows, there is 17 year old error, which endangers its users. When will Microsoft correct that error and how it it even possible, that it is included in so many versions of operating system?

Almost twenty one years old security threat has been admitted by Microsoft few days ago, while they confirm, that error is in all versions of 32bit system right in the Kernell. Software giant admits that security hole could have been used by hackers to get control of the computer. Threat could be found in subsystem Windows Virtual DOS Machine (this serves to execute 16bit a[plication directly in Windows) and behind this reveal stands engineer of Google Travis Ormandy. False subsystem VDM was added by Microsoft into the operating system in 1993, when the first 32bit system Windows NT was released when the older DOS application were needed directly in Windows. In Wednesday announcement the biggest producer of operating systems on the world admits that error in VDM can be found in all 32bit systems including newly released Windows 7. The only unaffected group stays all versions with 64bit kernell.

The problem in system kernell is actually very serious, the attacker if he is successful will be granted the permissions to install application, browse and erase data or even create new administration accounts. Nevertheless Jerry Bryant, manager of security center of Microsoft, has not acknowledged any attack using this threat and also was making the situation easier. According to him, the hacker must have first valid login in system to use this security gap, else the attack is not possible.

From the side of Microsoft, this problem was marked as "important", which is the second highest ranking. Unfortunately, even though Travis Ormandy reported the error seven months ago, no official patch has been released yet. There are only some recommendation how to avoid the usage of this error before the correctional package is released. Also the temporary solution could be to block all 16bit applications. Ormandy then also affirms the words of "harmful" code, which can be really executed on all operating systems.

In the last week it is second announcement from Microsoft about dangerous security gap. A week ago there has been revealed another critical error in web browser Internet Explorer 8 which allowed Chinese hackers to attack computers of Google company. This problem has been already corrected. But our neighbors Germans were warned from this error by the Internet Explorer self so the Firefox and Opera downloads has rapidly increased. Serene or serious situation?