Patch (computing)

For other uses of "Patch", seePatch (disambiguation) § Computing.

"Software update" redirects here. For the macOS component, seeApple Software Update.

Apatchisdatathat is intended to be used to modify an existing software resource such as aprogramor afile,often to fixbugsandsecurity vulnerabilities.A patch may be created to improve functionality,usability,orperformance.A patch is typically provided by a vendor for updating the software that they provide.

A patch may be created manually, but commonly it is created via a tool that compares two versions of the resource and generates data that can be used to transform one to the other.

Typically, a patch needs to be applied to the specific version of the resource it is intended to modify, although there are exceptions. Some patching tools can detect the version of the existing resource and apply the appropriate patch, even if it supports multiple versions. As more patches are released, their cumulative size can grow significantly, sometimes exceeding the size of the resource itself. To manage this, the number of supported versions may be limited, or a complete copy of the resource might be provided instead.

Patching allows for modifying acompiled(machine language) program when thesource codeis unavailable. This demands a thorough understanding of the inner workings of the compiled code, which is challenging without access to the source code.

Patching allows for making changes to a program without rebuilding it from source. For small changes, it can be more economical to distribute a patch than to distribute the complete resource.

Although often intended to fix problems, a poorly designed patch can introduce new problems (seesoftware regressions). In some cases updates may knowingly break the functionality or disable a device, for instance, by removing components for which the update provider is no longer licensed.

Patch managementis a part oflifecycle management,and is the process of using a strategy and plan of what patches should be applied to which systems at a specified time.

Typically, a patch is applied viaprogrammed controltocomputer storageso that it is permanent. In some cases a patch is applied by aprogrammervia a tool such as adebuggertocomputer memoryin which case the change is lost when the resource is reloaded from storage.

Types

Binary patches

Patches forproprietary softwareare typically distributed asexecutable filesinstead ofsource code.When executed these files load a program into memory which manages the installation of the patch code into the target program(s) on disk.

Patches for other software are typically distributed as data files containing the patch code. These are read by a patchutility programwhich performs the installation. This utility modifies the target program's executable file—the program'smachine code—typically by overwriting its bytes with bytes representing the new patch code. If the new code will fit in the space (number of bytes) occupied by the old code, it may be put in place by overwriting directly over the old code. This is called an inline patch. If the new code is bigger than the old code, the patch utility will append load record(s) containing the new code to the object file of the target program being patched. When the patched program is run, execution is directed to the new code with branch instructions (jumps or calls) patched over the place in the old code where the new code is needed. On early 8-bit microcomputers, for example the Radio ShackTRS-80,the operating system includes a PATCH/CMD utility which accepts patch data from a text file and applies the fixes to the target program's executable binary file(s).

The patch code must have place(s) in memory to be executed at runtime. Inline patches are no difficulty, but when additional memory space is needed the programmer must improvise. Naturally if the patch programmer is the one who first created the code to be patched, this is easier. Savvy programmers plan in advance for this need by reserving memory for later expansion, left unused when producing their final iteration. Other programmers not involved with the original implementation, seeking to incorporate changes at a later time, must find or make space for any additional bytes needed. The most fortunate possible circumstance for this is when the routine to be patched is a distinct module. In this case the patch programmer need merely adjust the pointers or length indicators that signal to other system components the space occupied by the module; he is then free to populate this memory space with his expanded patch code. If the routine to be patched does not exist as a distinct memory module, the programmer must find ways to shrink the routine to make enough room for the expanded patch code. Typical tactics include shortening code by finding more efficient sequences of instructions (or by redesigning with more efficient algorithms), compacting message strings and other data areas, externalizing program functions to mass storage (such as disk overlays), or removal of program features deemed less important than the changes to be installed with the patch.

Small in-memory machine code patches can be manually applied with the system debug utility, such asCP/M's DDT orMS-DOS's DEBUG debuggers. Programmers working in interpretedBASICoften used the POKE command to alter the functionality of a system service routine or the interpreter itself.

Source code patches

Patches can also circulate in the form of source code modifications. In this case, the patches usually consist of textual differences between two source code files, called "diffs".These types of patches commonly come out ofopen-source software projects.In these cases, developers expect users to compile the new or changed files themselves.

Large patches

Because the word "patch" carries the connotation of a small fix, large fixes may use different nomenclature. Bulky patches or patches that significantly change a program may circulate as "service packs"or as" software updates ".Microsoft Windows NTand its successors (includingWindows 2000,Windows XP,Windows VistaandWindows 7) use the "service pack" terminology.Historically,IBMused the terms "FixPaks" and "Corrective Service Diskette" to refer to these updates.

History

A program tape for the 1944Harvard Mark I,one of the first digital computers. Note physical patches used to correct punched holes by covering them.

Historically, software suppliers distributed patches onpaper tapeor onpunched cards,expecting the recipient to cut out the indicated part of the original tape (or deck), and patch in (hence the name) the replacement segment. Later patch distributions used magnetic tape. Then, after the invention of removable disk drives, patches came from the software developer via adiskor, later,CD-ROMviamail.With widely availableInternetaccess,downloadingpatches from the developer'sweb siteor through automated software updates became often available to the end-users. Starting with Apple'sMac OS 9and Microsoft'sWindows ME,PC operating systems gained the ability to get automatic software updates via the Internet.

Computer programs can often coordinate patches to update a target program. Automation simplifies the end-user's task – they need only to execute an update program, whereupon that program makes sure that updating the target takes place completely and correctly. Service packs forMicrosoft Windows NTand its successors and for many commercial software products adopt such automated strategies.

Some programs can update themselves via theInternetwith very little or no intervention on the part of users. The maintenance ofserversoftware and ofoperating systemsoften takes place in this manner. In situations where system administrators control a number of computers, this sort of automation helps to maintain consistency. The application of security patches commonly occurs in this manner.

With the advent of larger storage media and higher Internet bandwidth, it became common to replace entire files (or even all of a program's files) rather than modifying existing files, especially for smaller programs.

Application

The size of patches may vary from a fewbytesto hundreds ofmegabytes;thus, more significant changes imply a larger size, though this also depends on whether the patch includes entire files or only the changed portion(s) of files. In particular, patches can become quite large when the changes add or replace non-program data, such as graphics and sounds files. Such situations commonly occur in the patching ofcomputer games.Compared with the initial installation of software, patches usually do not take long to apply.

In the case ofoperating systemsandcomputer serversoftware, patches have the particularly important role of fixing security holes. Some critical patches involve issues with drivers.Patches may require prior application of other patches, or may require prior or concurrent updates of several independent software components. To facilitate updates, operating systems often provide automatic or semi-automatic updating facilities. Completely automatic updates have not succeeded in gaining widespread popularity in corporate computing environments, partly because of the aforementioned glitches, but also because administrators fear that software companies may gain unlimited control over their computers.Package management systemscan offer various degrees of patch automation.

Usage of completely automatic updates has become far more widespread in the consumer market, due largelyto the fact thatMicrosoft Windowsadded support for them,andService Pack 2 of Windows XP(available in 2004) enabled them by default. Cautious users, particularly system administrators, tend to put off applying patches until they can verify the stability of the fixes. Microsoft(W)SUSsupports this. In the cases of large patches or of significant changes, distributors often limit availability of patches to qualified developers as abeta test.

Applying patches tofirmwareposes special challenges, as it often involves the provisioning of totally new firmware images, rather than applying only the differences from the previous version. The patch usually consists of a firmware image in form of binary data, together with a supplier-provided special program that replaces the previous version with the new version; amotherboardBIOSupdate is an example of a common firmware patch. Any unexpected error or interruption during the update, such as a power outage, may render the motherboard unusable. It is possible for motherboard manufacturers to put safeguards in place to prevent serious damage; for example, the update procedure could make and keep a backup of the firmware to use in case it determines that the primary copy is corrupt (usually through the use of achecksum,such as aCRC).

Video games

Video gamesreceive patches to fix compatibility problems after their initial release just like any other software, but they can also be applied to change game rules oralgorithms.These patches may be prompted by the discovery ofexploitsin themultiplayergame experience that can be used to gain unfair advantages over other players. Extra features and gameplay tweaks can often be added. These kinds of patches are common infirst-person shooterswithmultiplayercapability, and inMMORPGs,which are typically very complex with large amounts of content, almost always rely heavily on patches following the initial release, where patches sometimes add new content and abilities available to players. Because the balance and fairness for all players of an MMORPG can be severely corrupted within a short amount of time by an exploit, servers of an MMORPG are sometimes taken down with short notice in order to apply a critical patch with a fix.

Companies sometimes release games knowing that they have bugs.Computer Gaming World'sScorpiain 1994 denounced "companies—too numerous to mention—who release shoddy product knowing they can get by with patches and upgrades, and who make'pay-testers of their customers ".

In software development

Patches sometimes become mandatory to fix problems withlibrariesor with portions ofsource codefor programs in frequent use or in maintenance. This commonly occurs on very large-scale software projects, but rarely in small-scale development.

In open-source projects, the authors commonly receive patches or many people publish patches that fix particular problems or add certain functionality, like support for local languages outside the project's locale. In an example from the early development of theLinux kernel(noted for publishing its complete source code),Linus Torvalds,the original author, received hundreds of thousands of patches from manyprogrammersto apply against his original version.

TheApache HTTP Serveroriginally evolved as a number of patches thatBrian Behlendorfcollated to improveNCSA HTTPd,hence a name that implies that it is a collection of patches ("a patchy server"). The FAQ on the project's official site states that the name 'Apache' was chosen from respect for the Native American Indian tribe ofApache.However, the 'a patchy server' explanation was initially given on the project's website.

Variants

Hotfix

Main article:Hotfix

A hotfix or Quick Fix Engineering update (QFE update) is a single, cumulative package that includes information (often in the form of one or more files) that is used to address a problem in a software product (i.e., a software bug). Typically, hotfixes are made to address a specific customer situation.Microsoftonce used this term but has stopped in favor of new terminology: General Distribution Release (GDR) and Limited Distribution Release (LDR).Blizzard Entertainment,however, defines a hotfix as "a change made to the game deemed critical enough that it cannot be held off until a regular content patch".

Point release

Main article:Point release

A point release is aminor releaseof a software project, especially one intended to fix bugs or do small cleanups rather than add significantfeatures.Often, there are too many bugs to be fixed in a single major or minor release, creating a need for a point release.

Program temporary fix

Main article:Program temporary fix

Program temporary fix or Product temporary fix (PTF), depending on date, is the standardIBMterminology for a single bug fix, or group of fixes, distributed in a form ready to install for customers. A PTF was sometimes referred to as a “ZAP”. Customers sometime explain the acronym in a tongue-in-cheek manner aspermanent temporary fixor more practicallyprobably this fixes,because they have the option to make the PTF a permanent part of the operating system if the patch fixes the problem.

Security patches

Asecurity patchis a change applied to an asset to correct the weakness described by a vulnerability. This corrective action will prevent successful exploitation and remove or mitigate a threat's capability to exploit a specific vulnerability in an asset. Patch management is a part ofvulnerability management– the cyclical practice of identifying, classifying, remediating, and mitigating vulnerabilities.

Security patches are the primary method of fixing security vulnerabilities in software. Currently Microsoft releases its security patches once a month ( "patch Tuesday"), and other operating systems and software projects have security teams dedicated to releasing the most reliable software patches as soon after a vulnerability announcement as possible. Security patches are closely tied toresponsible disclosure.

These security patches are critical to ensure that business process does not get affected. In 2017, companies were struck by a ransomware calledWannaCrywhich encrypts files in certain versions ofMicrosoft Windowsand demands a ransom via BitCoin. In response to this, Microsoft released a patch which stops the ransomware from running.

Service pack

Main article:Service pack

A service pack or SP or a feature pack (FP) comprises a collection of updates, fixes, or enhancements to a software program delivered in the form of a single installable package. Companies often release a service pack when the number of individual patches to a given program reaches a certain (arbitrary) limit, or the software release has shown to be stabilized with a limited number of remaining issues based on users' feedback and bug tracking such asBugzilla.In large software applications such as office suites, operating systems, database software, or network management, it is not uncommon to have a service pack issued within the first year or two of a product's release. Installing a service pack is easier and less error-prone than installing many individual patches, even more so when updating multiple computers over a network, where service packs are common.

Unofficial patches

Main article:Unofficial patch

An unofficial patch is a patch for a program written by a third party instead of the originaldeveloper.Similar to an ordinary patch, it alleviatesbugsor shortcomings. Examples are security fixes by security specialists when an official patch by the software producers itself takes too long.Other examples are unofficial patches created by thegame communityof avideo gamewhich became unsupported.

Monkey patches

Main article:Monkey patch

Monkey patchingmeans extending or modifying a program locally (affecting only the running instance of the program).

Hot patching

Main article:Dynamic software updating

Hot patching,also known aslive patchingordynamic software updating,is the application of patches without shutting down and restarting the system or the program concerned. This addresses problems related to unavailability of service provided by the system or the program. Method can be used to updateLinux kernelwithout stopping the system. A patch that can be applied in this way is called ahot patchor alive patch.This is becoming a common practice in the mobile app space.Companies likeRollout.iousemethod swizzlingto deliver hot patches to the iOS ecosystem.Another method for hot-patching iOS apps is JSPatch.

Cloud providers often use hot patching to avoid downtime for customers when updating underlying infrastructure.

Slipstreaming

In computing, slipstreaming is the act of integrating patches (includingservice packs) into theinstallationfiles of their original app, so that the result allows a direct installation of the updated app.

The nature of slipstreaming means that it involves an initial outlay of time and work, but can save a lot of time (and, by extension, money) in the long term. This is especially significant for administrators that are tasked with managing a large number of computers, where typical practice for installing an operating system on each computer would be to use the original media and then update each computer after the installation was complete. This would take a lot more time than starting with a more up-to-date (slipstreamed) source, and needing to download and install the few updates not included in the slipstreamed source.

However, not all patches can be applied in this fashion and one disadvantage is that if it is discovered that a certain patch is responsible for later problems, said patch cannot be removed without using an original, non-slipstreamed installation source.

Software update systems

ASparklesoftware update prompt on macOS

See also:Category:Software update managers,Push technology,Pull technology,andSoftware verification

Software update systems allow for updates to be managed by users and software developers. In the2017 Petya cyberpandemic,the financial software "MeDoc" 's update system is said to have been compromised to spreadmalwarevia its updates.On the Tor Blog, cybersecurity expert Mike Perry states thatdeterministic,distributed builds are likely the only way to defend against malware that attacks the software development andbuildprocesses to infect millions of machines in a single, officially signed, instantaneous update.Update managers also allow for security updates to be applied quickly and widely. Update managers ofLinuxsuch asSynapticallow users to update all software installed on their machine. Applications like Synaptic use cryptographic checksums to verify source/local files before they are applied to ensure fidelity against malware.

See also

• Software release life cycle
• Software maintenance
• Backporting
• Dribbleware
• Patch (Unix)
• Porting
• Vulnerability database
• Delta encoding
• SMP/E
• Automatic bug fixing
• Shavlik Technologies
• White hat (computer security)

External links

• The Jargon Fileentry forpatch
• A detailed masters dissertation dealing with security patches
• Official Linux kernel patch format
• 0-Day Patch – Exposing Vendors (In)security Performance.Archived2014-01-31 at theWayback Machine.A metric comparing patch performance of Microsoft and Apple.