Adobe finally releases critical patch the same day as Microsoft updates

Adobe Systems has released a security update to fix a critical vulnerability in Adobe Reader 9 and Acrobat 9 that could allow a hacker to take control of a computer.

Adobe has been criticised for taking so long to recognise the vulnerability and release the update. Exploits have been reportedly been around for nearly two months.

The company has also been criticised for releasing the updates on the same day as Microsoft's Patch Tuesday monthly security updates.

Microsoft released one critical Windows patch for a vulnerability that could allow remote code execution and two for spoofing vulnerabilities in its March security bulletin.

Adobe alerted users about the vulnerability just over two weeks ago and said a security update would be released by 11 March.

The vulnerability allows hackers to overwrite memory with a buffer overflow and install a backdoor to enable them to control the system remotely.

Adobe said it plans to release security updates for Adobe Reader 7 and 8 and Acrobat 7 and 8 by 18 March and for Adobe Reader 9.1 for Unix by 25 March.