News 

The six critical fixes will replace components that allow remote code execution-based exploits in all versions of Windows, though one of the critical bulletins only affects Windows Vista and Server 2008. Critical is the most serious ranking given by the software giant.

Among the important fixes there's a patch for Windows Media software and Office, as well as one affecting Visual Basic 6, Visual Basic.NET and Visual FoxPro. There's also important bulletins related to Sharepoint Server 2007 and Search Server 2008.

The patch also brings a host of non-security related updates, including the latest updates for Outlook's junk mail filter and the Malicious Software Removal Tool.

The patch will go live on 9 December, with the early bulletin intended as an advanced warning for IT departments.

Further details of the bulletin can be found on Microsoft's TechNet site.