Microsoft releases new security fixes for 96 security bugs and is also considering the unusual step of releasing some fixes for the older and unsupported Windows XP operating system.
The new patch brings updates and fixes for various remote code execution (RCE) bugs in Windows, Microsoft Edge and Microsoft Office which could be exploited remotely by attackers to obtain full control over affected machines.
Adrienne Hall (General Manager, Cyber Defense Operations Center) said:
“In reviewing the updates for this month, some vulnerabilities were identified that pose elevated risk of cyber attacks by government organisations, sometimes referred to as nation-state actors or other copycat organisations,”
“To address this risk, today we are providing additional security updates along with our regular Update Tuesday service. These security updates are being made available to all customers, including those using older versions of Windows.”
This is not the first time Microsoft has had to return and update Windows XP. Just last month Microsoft has released an update for XP that protected users from the WannaCry ransomware. Microsoft said that all Windows operating systems with automatic updates option enabled will receive the patch soon. Any user still running a Windows XP might have updates turned off seeing as there weren’t supposed to be any. They can be manually installed via the Download Center or in Windows Update.