Microsoft targets six bugs for 'Patch Tuesday'

Microsoft will fix three critical security holes, and three other flaws, in next Tuesday's scheduled patch release.

The critical holes, all of which could allow a hacker to execute code remotely on a target system, affect Window 2000 SP4, Excel 2000, and the .Net Framework, which most Windows users will have installed, according to a Microsoft security bulletin. Microsoft is not issuing further details of the problems until the fixes are delivered next Tuesday.

Two other patches fix "important" flaws in Microsoft Office, Microsoft Publisher and Windows XP Professional. The sixth patch is for a "moderate" Windows Vista flaw.

Microsoft's "Patch Tuesday" has become a regular feature. Microsoft is increasingly offering details of the patches in advance, so that IT departments can prepare for them, avoiding the risk of "Exploit Wednesday".