Microsoft warning to XP users: Update Flash Player Now

Microsoft has shipped a security advisory with an urgent message for Windows XP users: Update your Flash Player immediately.

The Adobe Flash Player 6 that ships by default in Windows XP is vulnerable to multiple code execution vulnerabilities that could lead to PC takeover attacks, according to the advisory.

Here’s the warning:

> Microsoft is aware of reports of vulnerabilities in Adobe Flash Player 6 provided in Windows XP. We are not aware of attacks that try to use the reported vulnerabilities or of customer impact at this time but recommend that users install the latest version of Flash Player provided by Adobe.
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> The Adobe Flash Player 6 was provided with Windows XP and contains multiple vulnerabilities that could allow remote code execution if a user views a specially crafted Web page. Adobe has addressed these vulnerabilities in newer versions of Adobe Flash Player. Microsoft recommends that users of Windows XP with Adobe Flash Player 6 installed update to the most current version of Flash Player available from Adobe.

This issue affects Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows XP Service Pack 3. The warning is also applicable to users running Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2.

Adobe discontinued support for Adobe Flash Player 6 in 2006. The latest version of Adobe Flash Player is 10.0.42.34.

Adobe Flash Player is among the most commonly exploited desktop applications so it’s important for all Windows XP users to heed this warning from Microsoft.