Microsoft has provided an update to critical security issues reported on their Internet Explorer browsers.
As part of Microsoft's March 2013 Security Bulletin Summary, four components were labeled "Critical" as three were categorized as "Important."
Of the critical ratings, the affected software includes Internet Explorer, Windows operating system, Microsoft Silverlight, Microsoft Office, and Microsoft Server Software.
According to Microsoft, "Critical" implies to the following: "A vulnerability whose exploitation could allow code execution without user interaction. These scenarios include self-propagating malware (e.g. network worms), or unavoidable common use scenarios where code execution occurs without warnings or prompts. This could mean browsing to a web page or opening email."
As for the critical Internet Explorer update, the security patch resolves nine reported vulnerabilities, one of which was disclosed to the public.
"The most severe vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution if a user views a specially crafted webpage using Internet Explorer," Microsoft noted. "An attacker who successfully exploited these vulnerabilities could gain the same user rights as the current user. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights."
Microsoft added the update affects Internet Explorer versions 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.
Most Internet Explorer customers would have or will see an automatic update enabled and will not need to take any action since the security update will be downloaded and installed involuntarily.
Internet Explorer users who have not enabled automatic updating need to check for updates and install this update manually.
A restart is required following the update.
Related Articles:
- Internet Explorer Market Share 2013: Microsoft Browser Tops 55% for February vs. Firefox, Chrome, Safari
- Internet Explorer Update: Microsoft Fined $733 Million for Not Offering Alternate Browsers; IE 10 Bug Reported