Microsoft has re-issued a critical Bluetooth security patch, saying it didn't initially work on Windows XP. Microsoft has reissued a critical Windows security patch, saying that the fix didn’t initially work on the most recent versions of Windows XP.Microsoft learned of the problem after releasing its security updates last Tuesday, said Christopher Budd, a Microsoft spokesman, writing in a Thursday blog posting. “Our investigation found that while the other security updates were providing protections for the issues discussed in the bulletin, the Windows XP SP2 and SP3 updates were not,” he wrote.The patch, described in the MS08-030 security bulletin, fixes a flaw in the way Windows uses the Bluetooth networking protocol, used to connect peripheral devices like headsets to the PC. An attacker who got close enough to the Windows system to make a Bluetooth connection could theoretically send malicious packets to the PC and take complete control of a victim’s computer.Security experts say that because Bluetooth devices need to be within a few yards of a computer to connect, the flaw wouldn’t be used in a widespread attack, but it is considered a serious bug. Budd didn’t offer much of an explanation for the error, saying that it looks like “two separate human issues” were to blame. “Were beginning an investigation into how this happened.”Microsoft is now pushing out a new, working version of the patch via its automatic update mechanisms. Related content news EchoMark releases watermarking solution to secure private communications, detect insider threats Enterprise-grade software embeds AI-driven, forensic watermarking in emails and documents to pinpoint potential insider risks By Michael Hill Sep 28, 2023 4 mins Communications Security Communications Security Communications Security news SpecterOps to use in-house approximation to test for global attack variations The new offering uses atomic tests and in-house approximation in purple team assessment to test all known techniques of an attack. By Shweta Sharma Sep 28, 2023 3 mins Penetration Testing news New Trojan ZenRAT masquerades as Bitwarden password manager A report by Proofpoint identifies the new Trojan as undocumented and possessing information-stealing capabilities. By Lucian Constantin Sep 28, 2023 4 mins Cyberattacks Hacking Data and Information Security news UK Cyber Security Council CEO reflects on a year of progress Professor Simon Hepburn sits down with broadcaster ITN to discuss Council’s work around cybersecurity professional standards, careers and learning, and outreach and diversity. By Michael Hill Sep 27, 2023 3 mins Government Data and Information Security Security Practices Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe