NT4.0 'cannot fix flaw`

Although a denial of service (DOS) risk exists in an "important security vulnerability" in NT 4.0, Redmond told NT users yesterday not to expect a patch anytime soon, The Register reports.

Windows 2000 and XP users do have access to a fix, designed to address a flaw involving Endpoint Mapper, but the best on offer for Win NT users is advice to shelter vulnerable servers behind a firewall.

In a surprisingly candid admission, the company states that fixing NT4.0 is simply too difficult. "The architectural limitations of Windows NT 4.0 do not support the changes that would be required to remove this vulnerability," Microsoft says. "Windows NT 4.0 users are strongly encouraged to employ the workaround discussed in the FAQ in the bulletin, which is to protect the NT 4.0 system with a firewall that blocks Port 135."

The launch of Arab satellite TV network Al Jazeera`s new Web site on Monday drew immediate hack attacks, but this has been swiftly followed up by the disappearance of the site`s DNS records, reports The Register. These now point to mydomain.com nameservers, but this company`s site is also currently inaccessible, as you might expect, under the circumstances.

Al Jazeera (aljazeera.net) could have been taken offline by DDoS attacks, but considering the timing one is also drawn to the possibility that something involving a Big Red Switch might have been involved, the news site surmises. Prior to the site`s complete removal, company IT manager Salah Al Seddiqui told Reuters that its Qatar-based vendor had said "US-based DataPipe could no longer host its site from the end of this month," and that Al Jazeera would move its servers to Europe.

Al Jazeera has been heavily criticised by UK military spokesmen for screening pictures of dead British servicemen.

US Central Command has said that the US military is investigating the possibility that a software problem in the Patriot missile defence system may be responsible for targeting two friendly aircraft, but that other scenarios could just as likely be responsible for the mishaps.

A Washington Post story on Tuesday quoted unnamed Pentagon officials saying the cause of the incidents was "obviously a software glitch".

Defence industry experts disagreed about the possibility of a software problem being solely responsible for downing a friendly aircraft. "An operator has to lock on," said one industry expert who is familiar with the operation of the Patriot.

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