With all of the concern over the Windows Meta File (WMF) security vulnerability, and in an unusual move, Microsoft has released a security patch early, rather than waiting for it’s usual “Patch Tuesday”. In fact, the Microsoft patch for the WMF Metafile vulnerability has been released nearly a full week early!

The fact that Microsoft released this WMF patch nearly a week early should tell you something about the severity of the security issue. Take it seriously, it’s a nasty one. This is because, as explained earlier this week, “by putting a poisoned WMF (Windows Meta File) image on their website, the attacker is causing your browser, when you view the image, to open a big gaping security hole into your computer system.”

According to a statement by Microsoft, in explaining the unusual step of releasing the patch early, “Microsoft originally planned to release the update on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2006, as part of its regular monthly release of security bulletins, after testing for quality and application compatibility was complete. However, testing has been completed earlier than anticipated and the update is ready for release. In addition, Microsoft is releasing the update early in response to strong customer sentiment that the release should be made available as soon as possible.”

What does this mean for you? It means that you should immediately go and get the patch, and install it.

So click here to get the [Page no longer available – we have linked to the archive.org version instead]