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Windows XP Source Code Reportedly Leaked, Posted to 4chan

Roc Doc

Roc Doc

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What could go wrong? :eek:

Update 9/25/20 12:20pm PT: We have added more details to the text below about new information that has surfaced, including that multiple operating systems are impacted, and conspiracy theory material is also embedded in the leak. We still await comment from Microsoft on the matter.

Original Article:

Reports have emerged today that the Windows XP source code has been leaked to 4chan, with the leaked code then being posted to a torrent and the Mega file sharing service. Reports have also emerged that independent researchers have since begun analyzing the data, with initial indications that the leak is legitimate. However, there hasn't been an official confirmation from Microsoft.

The 42.9 GB leak also reportedly has newly-leaked code for Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows 2000 mixed in with other various source code from previous leaks. It still remains to be seen if the leak includes the entire source code for Windows XP, or just a subset. The torrented files are also reportedly polluted with materials relating to widely-debunked Bill Gates conspiracy theories, but it's unclear if those were tacked on by uploaders after the initial leak was shared to various torrents. (It's also conceivable that nefarious code could have been injected into the torrent, too, but there are no indications of malware as of yet.)

The thread on 4chan has since been archived (it was only open for four hours), and Microsoft hasn't commented publicly on the matter yet, either.



Windows XP, and the Iconic Bliss background that is said to be the most viewed image in history, has now passed its 19th birthday and reached its end of life in 2014, meaning Microsoft no longer supports the operating system. As such, critical security updates and compatibility with modern-era hardware hasn't been added. Regardless, it's predicted that one percent of computers still have the aging operating system installed.

As such, the leak doesn't present any immediate danger to most XP users: It's unlikely that hackers would invest the time to create new exploits targeting the old operating system - there simply aren't enough users to make it a financially attractive target.


However, given that Windows has evolved as a continuous series of updates over the last two decades, it is possible researchers could find clues to various mechanisms that provide an attack vector on more modern variants of Windows 10. Also, much like we see with COBOL, which debuted in 1960 and refuses to die, there are likely still many governmental organizations around the world using the operating system.

Coders could also use the source code to add support for newer hardware and possibly spin off custom distributions. Naturally, researchers would also have plenty of interest.

We're sure that Microsoft will respond quickly in an attempt to stamp out the spread of the Windows XP source code, but given that it appears to have already spread widely, there doesn't appear to be a way to put this genie back in the bottle.
Click to expand...
 
billybob_81067 said:
I have a machine running XP still. Its the computer in the garage that runs my little CNC router/engraver.
Click to expand...

I bought a used router last year and was close to installing xp to run the version of mach3 that came with it. I found a work around with a $100 motion controller that let me run 10. Glad I did....otherwise I pretty much would have had to keep it offline and only transfer files with a flash drive. It's nice having it on the network.
 
Roc Doc said:
Plus it could shed light on how to hack more current versions.
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this is the concern.

there's a lot of shared things still.

those of you running win xp for specific reasons like supporting old hardware should really consider doing virtual machines.
then you're hardware agnostic. Once those machines die you're gonna have a real hard time getting XP onto current hardware.
 
billybob_81067 said:
I have a machine running XP still. Its the computer in the garage that runs my little CNC router/engraver.
Click to expand...


I have a few XP machines that run a specific device.

I have one XP machine that runs an MRI device. Not the MRI itself but some interface to file storage on the back end and I could not get the VM to recognize a serial key device. The company wants 80k for the upgrade. Not sure if the Dr office will go for it but I told them that one time it will fail and i will not be able to resurrect it
 
Last edited:
bgaidan said:
I bought a used router last year and was close to installing xp to run the version of mach3 that came with it. I found a work around with a $100 motion controller that let me run 10. Glad I did....otherwise I pretty much would have had to keep it offline and only transfer files with a flash drive. It's nice having it on the network.
Click to expand...

TIll microsloth decides you need an upgrade an it crashes your computer and all your files disappear. Mine is kept off line to prevent that happening again.
 
bdkw1 said:
TIll microsloth decides you need an upgrade an it crashes your computer and all your files disappear. Mine is kept off line to prevent that happening again.
Click to expand...

Say it with me.

Virtual

Machines.
 
CDA 455 II said:
People still use Windows XP? :confused:
Click to expand...

30% of touch screen systems were using a ported version of XP as of 2019 (think ATMs and Boarding Pass kiosks).

Many companies are running Server 2000 and server 2003 instances for applications that are no longer supported (like Peoplesoft). Most of those are on VMs air-gapped from the network and are using some version of VDI to access those servers.
 
87manche said:
Say it with me.

Virtual

Machines.
Click to expand...

Since I'm a Luddite and have no fucking idea what your talking about I'll just have to stick with this.

Say it with me, don't let your GF know the password to your CNC computer.

Even though I told her explicitly to never connect it to the internet under any circumstances she felt the need to. Then Microsloth does what it does best, take something that works good and fuck it up.
 
bdkw1 said:
Since I'm a Luddite and have no fucking idea what your talking about I'll just have to stick with this.

Say it with me, don't let your GF know the password to your CNC computer.

Even though I told her explicitly to never connect it to the internet under any circumstances she felt the need to. Then Microsloth does what it does best, take something that works good and fuck it up.
Click to expand...

do it now or have regrets when that machine dies and it's a much more massive PITA.
 
2big bronco said:
Ok, for someone who doesnt even own a computer what exactly did the hackers get?
Click to expand...

source code is the code that gets compiled into the code that actually runs the computer.

It's the blueprint to building the software, basically.
 
87manche said:
do it now or have regrets when that machine dies and it's a much more massive PITA.
Click to expand...

I got a bit into trying to figure out what a VM was on wiki, I glazed over and quit reading. My cnc is still on an xp machine in a shop that doesn't have internet available. I back up my cad and cut files on thumb drives, but no other backups.
Can you give me a caveman description of what a VM is, how it would operate an old machine that runs on old stuff, and how I transfer my current programs over (don't have my CAD disk anymore, can get another program I'm sure)
 
2big bronco said:
So they know how windows xp was built?
Click to expand...

So they can read the source code. This will allow them to find new vulnerabilities that Microsoft will NEVER patch because the OS is so old and not in support anymore. Exploits will be created that will work on ANY Windows XP system that is still in use, (ex. ATMs, kiosks, hvac controls, fire controls, etc.). Even if the exploit is discovered and the attacker removed from the box, it will happen again because the hole will never be closed.

Essentially guarantees that a Windows XP box connected to a network, will be compromised. That box will be used to pivot to the important shit in the network and allow for data to be stolen and allow the attacker to maintain persistence.
 
Blacksheep10 said:
I got a bit into trying to figure out what a VM was on wiki, I glazed over and quit reading. My cnc is still on an xp machine in a shop that doesn't have internet available. I back up my cad and cut files on thumb drives, but no other backups.
Can you give me a caveman description of what a VM is, how it would operate an old machine that runs on old stuff, and how I transfer my current programs over (don't have my CAD disk anymore, can get another program I'm sure)
Click to expand...

A virtual machine is another operating system running inside a different operating system. So in your case, you could have a new supported Windows 10 system that is running a virtual computer of Windows XP. Once you have the virtual machine of XP running, you can create a snapshot of XP after you install your software. That is a base starting point, so of anything happened to the XP install, you can just revert back to the snapshot and go about your day.

Since you don't have the install media for CAD anymore, you could create an image of your XP hard drive, and use that image as the virtual machine.
 
Romogo said:
A virtual machine is another operating system running inside a different operating system. So in your case, you could have a new supported Windows 10 system that is running a virtual computer of Windows XP. Once you have the virtual machine of XP running, you can create a snapshot of XP after you install your software. That is a base starting point, so of anything happened to the XP install, you can just revert back to the snapshot and go about your day.

Since you don't have the install media for CAD anymore, you could create an image of your XP hard drive, and use that image as the virtual machine.
Click to expand...

Since you seem to know a bit...

I've tried to set up a VM XP install a few times and got frustrated and gave up.

I have an old Roland vinyl plotter that ONLY has XP drivers and only works on parallel (I can get it work on a USB to parallel adapter). As far as I've found, there's zero chance of it working on any later version of windows. I currently use an old XP laptop with the network card disabled and just transfer files via flash drive. The laptop is slow and buggy, I don't have a good place to put it so I just end up sitting on the floor when I'm setting up a print, and it's just an all around PITA. The plotter is a workhorse and I don't use it enough to justify buying something newer, but it's sure nice to have.

How TF can I set up a virtual install on my Win7 (I know) desktop that will let me run the XP drivers?
 
Yeah, more info on this virtual machine shit. I have a system at work that would benefit from this.
 
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