Microsoft Alert: Recent update may cause MSMQ failures and app disruptions

Microsoft has issued a fresh alert warning that a recent Windows security update may cause the Message Queuing (MSMQ) function to malfunction, potentially leading to widespread application disruptions. 

The issue is suspected to be behind multiple reports of failing internet of things (IoT) systems in enterprise environments.

According to the head of Canadian security awareness training provider Beauceron Security, David Shipley, questions have surfaced on Microsoft learning forums from users experiencing unexpected system failures. 

Notably, one post queried whether MSMQ issues were preventing a point-of-sale system from issuing sales receipts, while another raised concerns about a building left without functioning fire alarms or smoke detectors.

While a direct link to Microsoft’s December 16 security update has not been formally confirmed, Shipley noted that the company’s guidance has raised eyebrows. 

Although Microsoft acknowledged the bug and stated that a workaround exists, administrators were advised to contact Microsoft Support for Businesses rather than being given immediate technical instructions.

“The scariest words when it comes to a serious bug in Windows you’re trying to fix, that’s crashing your applications, is, ‘Call us,’” Shipley said.

For those unversed, MSMQ is a critical protocol used for secure communication between applications, meaning failures can cascade quickly across systems.

It should be noted that the recent Windows update has also triggered VPN connectivity issues, particularly affecting enterprise environments.