Microsoft re-releases ADFS Patch Tuesday security update

Microsoft has re-released a security fix after it's original Patch Tuesday security update caused caused problems with Active Directory.

The software giant was forced to pull patches last week for Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 and Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) 2.0.

The Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 patch, MS13-061, was pulled after it emerged that installing the update stopped users from searching the contents of their inboxes.

Meanwhile, the ADFS patch, designed for use with Windows Server 2008 and 2012, was intended plug a security flaw that could disclose unwanted information.

Once installed, it is thought to have caused functionality issues in ADFS, which prompted Microsoft to revoke it.

However, the firm has now released a re-worked version of the latter patch and is urging business users to install it as a matter of urgency.

"Customers who already installed the original updates will be reoffered [this one] and are encouraged to apply it at the earliest opportunity," the company said in an alert on its support pages.

At the time of writing, Microsoft Exchange 2013 users were still awaiting details of when a replacement for the MS13-061 patch will be rolled out.

Graham Cluley, independent infosecurity market watcher, said Microsoft will be keen to put last week's Patch Tuesday troubles behind it.

"This isn't the first time Microsoft has been forced to re-release a security patch after problems were found in the original version, and it surely won't be the last," he said in a blog post.

"I'm sure the company is hopeful, however, that it can keep such incidents to a minimum because of the disruption and downtime buggy security patches can cause it's customers."