bzg

click on one of our sponsors! OR REMOVE ADS

Get windows XP service pack 2 here


http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...&displaylang=en

MrH3x

Posts: n/a/0

Threads:

Something to note that will not affect everyone, but something to know in case it does. This will likely affect any other tools that require use of raw sockets.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Windows XP SP2 incompatible with Nmap
Date: Wed, 11 Aug 2004 12:31:23 -0700
From: Fyodor <fyodor@insecure.org>
To: nmap-hackers@insecure.org

This is just a heads-up that most Nmap functionality will not work on the just-released Microsoft Windows SP2. Why? Microsoft apparently broke it on purpose! When an Nmap user asked MS why security tools such as Nmap broke, MS responded[1]:

"We have removed support for TCP sends over RAW sockets in SP2.
We surveyed applications and found the only apps using this on XP were
people writing attack tools."

I don't know why they consider Nmap an "attack tool", particularly when they recommend it on some of their own pages[2]. Shrug.
Removing SP2 re-enables the functionality and causes Nmap to work again. Many problems unrelated to Nmap have been found with SP2 as well[3], though it does some welcome security improvements for people stuck on that platform.

I will work on this if I get time, but am currently busy rewriting the core port scanning engine for the next version of Nmap. It is much faster, offers much better multiple-host parallelization, and provides other long-desired features such as completion time estimates. If someone finds a solution to this SP2 problem, please send a patch. It may not be too hard, as Nmap supports operating systems such as Win95 that didn't have raw socket support in the first place.

Cheers,
Fyodor

[1] http://seclists.org/lists/nmap-dev/...r-Jun/0077.html
[2] http://www.microsoft.com/servicepro...urity/tools.asp
[3]

elfoozo

Now THIS would be a good reason to consider an alternative operating system.....

RoadTrippin

I'm gonna wait a while till they work the bugs out of that thing..... usually when i update as soon as something comes out i end up having to uninstall it the next day anyway

Xcel

yeah I would wait.....

We have three aplications in our environment that will cease to work if we install sp2 at this time. IF you do decide to update be sure to create a restore point and choose to archive the files upon installation.

Patito

Yeah, I'm not downloading it. My wireless receiver on my desktop at home won't work under Win XP SP2.

Xcel

dood that sux ass......be sure to uncheck automatic updates then, cause soon it will be pushed out....

Danjo

I've been running it on 3 systems at my house since the day it was released. Haven't had any problems.

jessicaq

Agreed with Danjo. I've been running SP2 since RC1 the upped to RC2 and now final. Have had no problems. It's actually a nice update. There are some things it can break, but for good reasons. If you want to blame anyone for breaking an application, you should contact whoever wrote the end-application. The only downfall that I have with SP2 thus far is that the firewall is not robust enough. It only blocks inbound and isn't very exciting. They need it to be more configurable and allow for both inbound and outbound blocks on IP,TCP,UDP, and ICMP. Then I'd be happy. :-)

bzg

I agree also, have been running on 2 systems for several weeks without the first problem...The security features are much better, plus it has a built in popup blocker that works very well...
There should be no reason for the average user not to update...

bzg

I do not like windows firewall, I have it turned off.
I am running a hardware firewall plus Norton Personal Firewall.

Pacemaker

I won't be updating because I can't login to my job's network if I go to SP2.

superh

I really like the integrated popup blocker in Internet Explorer. The startup logo is cleaner, too (the word "Professional" is gone). I haven't had a problem with it myself, yet.

h8machine

Posts: n/a/0

Threads:

Here you will find a complete list of the bugs fixed in SP2.
http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...kb;EN-US;811113

And here is a list of programs that are incompatible with SP2.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=842242