Win XP Critical Update notice for the Broadcom V.92 Modem ?

self

[hsmomx3]

I got a Win XP Critical Update notice for the Broadcom V.92 Modem. I went to the Windows Update site and scanned for new updates. Sure enough, there is 1 Critical Update. Here is the description: "Broadcom Corporation modem software update released on August 27 2003"

Anyone else get this? Why would modem software be considered a 'Critical Update'? And what about the release date?

There is no explanation either.

[GOP_1900AD]

Depending on which modem chip this impacts, all I can say is, I am not surprised that a critical patch is needed. There were severe quality problems out of Broadcom over the past two years. Software bandaiding is what this looks like....

[Solamente]

Are you on automatic notification, or did you get an email?

I update manually, just to play it safe.

[hsmomx3]

I update manually. I downloaded all other critical updates last week and then I noticed there is this one as per a thread at the Dell Computer boards.

[Balding_Eagle]

I'm on 'auto-download and ask be' fore installing'. Got the same notice, I didn't install thinking something was wrong, 'cuz I have a new Dell w/all new 'stuff'.

[nana4bush]

That update downloaded automatically on my computer last night. I'd like to know what this is fixing, too.

[Solamente]

I am over my head regarding your equipment- I am totally on top of the components in my rig, and that's it.

That said, I am alarmed that a routine driver update for a modem would be classified as "Critical."

[Mr. K]

I got a similare 'critical update' for my video contoller board. (NVidia GeForce) and I wondered the same thing- why would a video board be considered a 'critical update'

anybody have a clue?

[DB]

The modem likely has a built in HTML server for configuring it. It may have a serious securty hole.

[Solamente]

Hold the phone! If you are Dell customers, you probably have some different route to upgrades to attend to before the direct WinXP scans for upgrade. I don't know.

I have a hybrid rig, and I migrate useful components from older rigs. Plus stuff I find in the garbage.

[Prime Choice]

I am alarmed that a routine driver update for a modem would be classified as "Critical."

Whenever the driver for a telecommunications device is issued a "critical" upgrade, there's usually one of three things at play:

1. The current driver may be trivially exploited for snooping network traffic (e.g., goes into "promiscuous mode" readily), or
2. The current driver may allow for a delayed or silent re-activation/dial-out by a trojan or worm. This could basically turn the affected system into a zombie for DDoS clients or spam relaying points, or
3. The device may be trivially knocked over by a remote attacker.

Considering the timing of this update, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if there were a hidden surprise in the Sasser worm that relates to this.

[rs79bm]

This wouldn't be an update to patch a security hole or to prevent certain viruses from infecting your machine, but more than likely an update to the modem software, i.e., many broadcom modem users have been complaining of problems with the modem use and XP, and a long list of bugs was probably developed, so they are releasing a critical update so your modem will continue to work. I agree, though, a modem update is rather odd to appear in the critical updates section, as they almost always appear under the "driver updates" section.

-rs79bm

[Solamente]

There you go! Glad you came by to help these folks!

Thanks!

[Revel]

They are probably updates that are designed to add some kind of secret spyware to your computer.

[nana4bush]

Thank you all for your help. It's all clear as mud to me. Mine is a Dell XP, too, less than a year old. "Critical" to me means I best apply that update right now, because I got wormed for ignoring them in the past.

[hsmomx3]

Maybe I am a dunce but help me out here.

I downloaded this modem update item as it was critical. Next thing I know, it was finished downloading and then I got a pop-up saying I had been disconnected from the internet and to reconnect. Of course, another pop-up under that one said I had no modem. Another pop-up under that said I needed to restart the computer for the update to be installed.

No problem, I restarted with no problem but did not see anything install. I reconnected to the internet and all is well. How do I know that this update was installed properly? I assume it was since I was able to connect to the internet after the restart.