WatchGuard's UTM Appliances Provide Zero-day Protection for Latest Microsoft Vulnerability; WatchGuard Users Are Protected From a New and Previously Unknown Threat Without Need for Patches or Signature Updates
SEATTLE -- WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:WGRD), a leading provider of Unified Threat Management (UTM) solutions, today announced that its Firebox X Unified Threat Management appliances provide "Zero-Day" protection against a new threat to the latest Microsoft vulnerability involving maliciously crafted Windows MetaFile (.WMF) formatted pictures. Late yesterday, several security researchers discovered this dangerous new exploit circulating on the Internet.
WatchGuard customers can thwart this new threat by blocking potentially malicious Windows MetaFile (.WMF) formatted pictures with the "Zero-Day" protection provided by its Intelligent Layered Security, specifically, the HTTP and SMTP proxy capability. While an organization might require these image formats for conducting day-to-day business, WatchGuard highly recommends that users block them until Microsoft releases a patch for this vulnerability or until your Anti-virus vendor can provide a signature. Microsoft has not had time to release a patch for this newly discovered flaw yet. WatchGuard's UTM appliances provide an additional layer of "Zero-Day" protection, defending against new and unknown threats, proactively blocking viruses, worms, spyware, trojans, and blended threats through its proprietary Intelligent Layered Security architecture.
The malicious exploit takes advantage of an unpatched and unreported vulnerability in one of the graphics rendering engines that ships with Windows. By enticing a user into visiting a Web site containing a maliciously crafted Windows MetaFile (.WMF) formatted picture, an attacker could remotely exploit this vulnerability to gain complete control of a user's computer. For administrators managing Windows machines, WatchGuard recommends temporarily blocking all .WMF files at the gateway and inform users of this new threat. The exploit succeeds against completely patched and updated Windows XP SP2 systems, making it particularly dangerous.
"This is another practical, real-world example of the stronger security provided by WatchGuard's Unified Threat Management appliances," said John Stuckey, WatchGuard vice president of marketing. "WatchGuard users have zero-day protection from this new and previously unknown threat, without requiring a patch or signature update that is needed with other vendor's products."
According to recent data released by analyst firm IDC, WatchGuard has maintained its worldwide lead in UTM unit sales in the key price band of its flagship Firebox X security appliance. WatchGuard owns a leading market share of 20% and sold more units worldwide than any of its competitors in Q3 2005 in the $1,000 - $2,999 price band. WatchGuard also holds leads in the same category in the United States, the UK, Germany and Western Europe as a whole.
About WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.
WatchGuard provides network security. The company's Firebox X family of unified threat management appliances delivers the performance, functionality and security strength to meet the needs of organizations of any size. WatchGuard's Intelligent Layered Security provides true zero-day protection against new and unknown threats, proactively blocking viruses, worms, spyware, trojans, and blended threats. All WatchGuard products include a LiveSecurity Service subscription for vulnerability alerts, software updates, expert security instruction, as well as individualized and self-help customer care. WatchGuard is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, with offices throughout Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit www.watchguard.com.
WatchGuard, LiveSecurity and Firebox are either registered trademarks or trademarks of WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Contacts
WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.
Jeff Wenker, 206-613-6646
jeff.wenker@watchguard.com
LEWIS PR for WatchGuard
Adriana Gascoigne, 415-277-5400
watchguard@lewispr.com
