Microsoft's latest
critical patch for its Windows operating system fixes a
vulnerability that allows attackers to take control of a vulnerable
system, according to
Symantec's security response blog.
"It is imperative that end-users apply the patch from Microsoft
as soon as possible," the blog said.
Microsoft said the patch was "critical" for Windows XP and older
versions and is rated as "important" for Windows Vista and newer
versions.
Symantec has not seen wide-spread exploitation of this issue,
but there have been reports of a certain file being downloaded on
compromised computers.
This file copies another piece of malicious code onto the
compromised computer.
Symantec has identified both these files as a Trojan horse
called
Infostealer, the blog said.