Microsoft Updates Fix PowerPoint, Windows Flaws

Nine of twelve security patches address critical vulnerabilities in Windows and Office.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Microsoft today issued nine security updates addressing critical flaws in its Office and Windows products. The updates patch two worrisome PowerPoint flaws that could allow attackers to seize control of a PC, the company said.

This month's security updates also include 3 patches for less-severe Windows problems, making a total of 12 software fixes system administrators must contend with.

Office Apps Under Fire
Office applications like PowerPoint have come under increasing scrutiny of late.

Last month, Microsoft patched 12 Office vulnerabilities in its security patch release. Days later Symantec discovered that hackers were trying to exploit a new one by sending e-mail with malicious PowerPoint attachments. This malware installed a Trojan horse program called Trojan.PPDDropper.B and a backdoor program called Backdoor.Bifrose.E on the PC of any user who opened the document.

The critical patches issued today cover a wide range of issues, including problems in Internet Explorer, the Windows kernel, the help system, and the Server service. Outlook Express, the Microsoft Management Console, Visual Basic, and the Windows DNS (Domain Name System) are also affected with critical flaws, Microsoft said.

The three less-serious patches fix problems in Windows Explorer, the Windows kernel, and the Windows Hyperlink Object Library.



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