Seven criticals in MS October patch batch
Microsoft yesterday released 10 new security bulletins to fix multiple components in its Windows operating system and applications.
Redmond's October patch batch brings nine security updates (six critical, three important) for Windows and one critical update needed to correct a flaw in the Excel component of Office. Two of the Windows fixes cover critical vulns for Exchange Server 2003. In addition, there's an update to last month's notice about a serious flaw involving Microsoft's processing of jpeg image files, which only affects Office XP applications for users running Windows XP SP2.
Consumers would be forgiven for being confused with such a confusing plethora of security vulns. Redmond's answer is simple - use Win XP SP2.
"All of the critical updates in this month's release are already included in Windows XP Service Pack 2. Customers running Windows XP SP2 who have enabled Automatic Updates will automatically receive the sole update that applies [a cumulative patch for IE, MS04-038]. Customers are encouraged to simply turn on the Automatic Updates feature in Windows XP," Microsoft said.
This month's updates cover the aforementioned set of seven flaws in Internet Explorer, described by Secunia as extremely critical, as well as four Windows client vulns (MS04-032).
