Patch Tuesday heads-up: Critical MS Office patches coming

Microsoft plans to release six security bulletins next Tuesday November 10 to fix at least 15 serious vulnerabilities that could expose Windows users to malicious hacker attacks.

According to Microsoft's advance notice for this month's Patch Tuesday, the updates will address gaping holes in the Windows operating system and the Microsoft Office productivity suite.

Three of the six bulletins will be rated "critical," Microsoft's highest severity rating.  The other three will be rated "important."

According to the Redmond, Wash. software maker, the Windows OS vulnerabilities affect Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008.

The code execution holes affecting Microsoft Office will apply to Office XP, Office 2003 and the 2007 Office System.

The bulletin will also include patches for serious holes in the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet program.

Microsoft Office for Mac is also affected.