Four patches updated the eight security flaws in the core graphics system. Microsoft patched eight security vulnerabilities rated critical for Windows, Office, IE6, and Windows Media Player.

Microsoft Patches 8 Windows and Office Security Flaws

By Greg Kell
Sep 9, 2008 20:45 PM GMT
Four patches updated the eight security flaws in the core graphics system.

Microsoft patched eight security vulnerabilities rated critical for Windows, Office, IE6, and Windows Media Player.

Microsoft Corp. released four patches in order to repair eight critical security flaws in Windows, Office, Windows Media Player, and in other programs. The patches being rated "critical" means that the flaws can be used by hackers to break into a Windows-based PC.

Five of the flaws were in the way Windows handles graphics, or the Graphics Device Interface, (GDI). This is component of Windows controls how images are rendered. An unpatched Windows-based PC could be hacked by way of just visiting a malicious web site using Internet Explorer. For this reason, security experts are recommending applying the patches as soon as possible.

The Microsoft patches also repaired a security flaw in Microsoft Office XP, 2003, and 2007 as well as in Office OneNote2007. The last two patches fixed security flaws in Windows Media Player and Windows Media Encoder.

The patches can be applied by using Microsoft Update or through Windows Automatic Updates.

Filed Under:   Microsoft News   Technology News
Four patches updated the eight security flaws in the core graphics system.