Not only Microsoft released a bunch of patches to close security holes in their products, but also Adobe now ships updated software to fix several vulnerabilities in Adobe Reader and Acrobat which already get attacked with specially prepared PDF documents to take over control of vulnerable computers – Avira AntiVir protects its users and detects the currently circulating exploit PDF as Exp/Pidief.xam.

Users of Adobe Reader and Acrobat with earlier versions than the new 9.2 are advised to install the updated software immediately to protect themselves from the attacks; Adobe rates the vulnerabilities as critical. New versions of Reader are available for Windows, Mac and Unix. Further links for updates for different Acrobat versions are listed in Adobes security advisory.

Dirk Knop
Technical Editor

As announced, Adobe released the first updates for the critical security vulnerabilities in its products already. The first update is for Adobe Flash-Player – the new version 10.0.32.18 is supposed to close the security hole in the software. You can get it via Adobes web site.

During the day, Adobe wants to release further patches for Adobe Reader and Acrobat. Also, a new version of the Shockwave-Player is already available. Please install the updated versions as soon as possible.

Let me thank all the hardworking administrators out there at this place, especially the Avira admins. They have to roll out all these updates today and already had a busy week due to Microsoft’s out-of-band updates from Tuesday. Don’t forget, it’s System Administrator Appreciation day!

Dirk Knop
Technical Editor