Microsoft Issues Nine New Security Updates and Patches Affecting Large Number of Windows Users   4/12/2005 - 626 views, 1 Comment

Windows users using Microsoft Word 2000, 2002, or 2003, or Microsoft Works Suite 2001, 2002, 2003, or 2004, and users using MS Office Word 2003 are all advised to update their respective software packages due to a vulnerability which may allow a hacker to run code remotely on the user’s system. Get the patch to fix this here.

Users running MSN Messenger 6.2 are advised to apply a new patch to fix a vulnerability which may allow an attacker to take complete control of their computer system. Get the patch to fix this here.

Several versions of Internet Explorer (IE) are affected by a potential to allow a hacker to execute malicious code remotely through their machine, and Microsoft recommends that all customers apply this critical update immediately. The only versions of IE not affected are those which come with some version of Windows Server 2003, and XP Professional x64 Edition. Get the patch to fix this here.

In addition to the above three updates likely to affect a large number of Windows users, the following security updates have also been issued today by Microsoft:

Fix for a vulnerability in Exchange Server which could allow remote execution of malicious code

Patch to fix a security hole in TCP/IP which could lead both to remote code excecution and a denial of service attack

Update for a vulnerability in the Windows Shell which can lead to remote code execution

Patch for a security hole in Windows SharePoint Services and SharePoint Team Services which can allow cross-site scripting and spoofing

Fix for a vulnerability in the Windows kernal which can allow an improper elevation of user privileges and a denial of service attack

Update for a vulnerability in message queuing which can allow remote code execution