Microsoft patches up FREAK and Stuxnet security flaws on Windows PCs

With the latest Patch Tuesday release, Microsoft is fixing the FREAK vulnerability that could help attackers intercept secured network communications.

The security bulletin is one of 14 Microsoft issued Tuesday, five of which are marked critical, meaning administrators should apply them as quickly as possible.

The bulletins address vulnerabilities residing in both the consumer and server editions of Windows, Internet Explorer, Office, SharePoint Server and Exchange Server. Discovered earlier this month, FREAK (Factoring attack on RSA-EXPORT Keys) provides a way for an attacker to intercept SSL-encrypted traffic encrypted by SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) as it moves between clients and servers.