Security researchers yesterday detected hackers distributing software to break into computers using flaws announced last week in some versions of Microsoft Corp."s Windows operating system. The threat from this new vulnerability -- which already has drawn stern warnings from the Homeland Security Department -- is remarkably similar to one that allowed the Blaster virus to infect hundreds of thousands of computers last month.
Researchers from iDefense Inc. of Reston, Va., who found the new attack software being distributed from a Chinese Web site, said it already was being used to break into vulnerable computers and implant eavesdropping programs. They said they expect widespread attacks similar to the Blaster infection within days.
Microsoft confirmed last night it was studying the new attack tool.