Microsoft says it has fixed a security flaw in its internet server software that allowed a hacker to gain control of a company's web server in a matter of minutes.
The flaw affected users of Windows NT's Internet Information Server 4.0 and Windows 2000's Internet Information Server 5.0, the company said.
The vulnerability originated from a flaw that makes the software run an extra security check each time a user requests a URL, or an internet address.
If a hacker knew what to look for, that person could use that second check as a window to break into the system.
PA
