14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft released this month's Patch Tuesday updates this morning, and among the 11 fixes that the company shipped to Windows users, there's also one supposed to fix a critical vulnerability in Internet Explorer.
Absolutely all versions of Internet Explorer are affected, starting with the old Internet Explorer 6 that was bundled into Windows XP at launch, and ending with Internet Explorer 11 that's now available on Windows 8.1 as the default browser and in Windows 10 Technical Preview until the new Spartan browser becomes available.
Interestingly, Internet Explorer will be replaced with Spartan browser in Windows 10 when the new operating system becomes available, but this doesn't necessarily mean that the app will be discontinued once Spartan makes its official debut.
Microsoft has already confirmed that no other updates will be released for Internet Explorer, and the same version that's currently available in Windows 8.1 won't get any new features, but security updates and patches will still be released.
It could allow remote code execution
According to Microsoft itself, a successful exploit would allow an attacker to get the same privileges as the logged-in user, so if an administrator account is hacked, the cybercriminal could get remote code execution rights and compromise the entire system.
This is only possible if the user loads a malicious webpage, the company explained, so if you stay away from suspicious links, you should be safe. Needless to say, deploying the update would be a much smarter way to deal with this vulnerability, but keep in mind that opening links that come from unknown people is not recommended no matter if your system is fully patched or not.
In the meantime, those who want to give a try to Spartan browser, Internet Explorer's replacement in Windows 10, can download the technical preview available as part of the Windows Insider program. Yet, keep in mind that Spartan is still in development right now, and a lot could change until the final version of the browser becomes available.