Come June 9, 2009, Microsoft plans to release no less than 10 security bulletins for various supported releases of Internet Explorer, Windows client and server operating systems and the Office System. The majority of the patch packages impact Windows OSes, the Redmond company explains; however, users of operating systems such as Windows Vista Service Pack 1 or SP2 and Windows XP SP3 are dealing with a low level of risk. Next week the software giant will not offer even a single security update with a maximum severity rating of Critical for Vista SP1 and XP SP3, not counting the IE patches.

“Tuesday, June 9 at 10:00 a.m. PDT (UTC -8), we will be releasing a total of 10 security bulletins consisting of: six updates affecting Windows. Two Critical, three Important, and one Moderate; one Critical update affecting Internet Explorer; one Critical update affecting Word; one Critical update affecting Excel; one Critical update affecting Office,” revealed Jerry Bryant, Microsoft security program manager.

Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2 are only impacted by three security patches, all rated Important, the Redmond company has revealed. Users of XP SP3 however will have to deploy six Windows patches, four Important and two Moderate. But both XP SP3 and Vista SP1 users will need to plug Critical security holes in Internet Explorer, including the latest release of the browser: Internet Explorer 8.

“You may have noticed that we are not announcing an update for the DirectShow vulnerability addressed in Security Advisory 971778. Our security teams are working hard on a security update that addresses this issue to protect customers, but we do not yet have an update that has reached the appropriate level of quality for broad distribution. We continue to monitor the situation closely and suggest customers follow the guidance provided in the advisory. This includes the “Fix It For Me” solution in the associated Knowledge Base article, which provides a quick and easy workaround to protect customers from possible attacks,” Bryant added.

Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 - Five Language Standalone (KB948465) is available for download here.

Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 - Five Language Standalone for x64-based systems (KB948465) is available for download here.