Microsoft adds critical security updates to IE, Windows XP

Microsoft has unexpectedly added two more critical security updates to all versions of its Internet Explorer (IE) and soon-to-be-retired Windows XP.

Microsoft has unexpectedly added two more critical security updates to all versions of its Internet Explorer (IE) and soon-to-be-retired Windows XP.

According to PC World, the two bulletins were tagged as 'remote code execution', meaning attackers who crafted and delivered exploits against unpatched PCs would be able to hijack a machine and plant malware on it.

Microsoft said Bulletin 1 is now dedicated to IE and will update every version, from the soon-to-be-retired IE6 to the newest IE11 on Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1.

The second new update, Bulletin 2, will patch VBScript.

VBScript is used by some website and Web app developers as a substitute for JavaScript .

The VBScript update will affect all versions of Windows, but was rated critical on the client editions such as Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, the report added.