Tag Archives: espionage

Experts Warn of New Windows Shortcut Flaw

July 15, 2010

Researchers have discovered what appears to be a sophisticated new strain of malicious software that piggybacks on USB storage devices and leverages a previously unknown security vulnerability in the way Microsoft Windows processes shortcut files.

USB-borne malware is extremely common, and most malware that piggybacks on USB and other removable drives traditionally has taken advantage of the Windows Autorun or Autoplay feature. But according to VirusBlokAda, this strain of malware leverages a vulnerability in the method Windows uses for handling shortcut files.