Adobe releases critical security fixes for Acrobat and Reader

Adobe has fixed 23 serious security vulnerabilities in its Reader and Acrobat software that affect both Windows and Macintosh systems.

The firm has released a security bulletin with fixes for issues that could either make systems crash or give remote attackers control over compromised systems.

Users are being advised to apply the fixes as soon as possible. Indeed, such is the critical nature of the flaws that Adobe decided to release its fixes a week ahead of its monthly patch update, which is due on 12 October.

Affected systems include Adobe Reader 9.3.4 (and below) on the Windows, Macintosh and Unix platforms, and Adobe Acrobat 9.3.4 (and below) for Windows and Macintosh, as well as Adobe Reader 8.2.4 (and below) and Adobe Acrobat 8.2.4 (and below) for Windows and Macintosh.

Adobe first alerted customers of the vulnerabilities and its plan for an accelerated security update last week. No more fixes for the systems are expected to be made available this month.

As well as installing patches users are advised to upgrade to the latest version of the software.