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Microsoft to Post WMF Vulnerability Patch Ahead of Schedule

Microsoft is releasing an out-of-cycle patch Thursday for the Windows Meta File (WMF) vulnerability that attackers were already exploiting when the flaw was made public in the last week of December. Earlier this week, Microsoft had said it would not release a patch until its regular Patch Tuesday event next week.

"The development and testing teams have put forth a considerable effort to address this issue and respond to the strong customer sentiment that the release should be made available as soon as possible," a Microsoft spokesperson said in an e-mail.

Microsoft planned to post the security update, MS06-001, around 2 p.m. PST. The patch will be automatically distributed to computers with Automatic Updates enabled and to customers using Windows Server Update Services.

Microsoft also plans a special Webcast to answer questions about the vulnerability on Friday. A sign-up page for the Webcast is available at www.microsoft.com/technet/security.

About the Author

Scott Bekker is editor in chief of Redmond Channel Partner magazine.

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