Microsoft Corp. upgraded a recent security warning to "critical" after discovering new ways in which an attacker could run malicious software on a vulnerable computer, the world's largest software maker said on Wednesday.
The software flaw, which affects the two latest versions of Microsoft's Outlook e-mail, calendar and contacts program, were initially rated as "important" in Microsoft's monthly security bulletin issued on Tuesday.
Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft said that it reissued its latest security bulletin with a "critical" rating, which means that software should download and install a patch to correct the problem as quickly as possible.
"This change is based on information concerning a new attack scenario discovered after the bulletin's original release on March 9th," Microsoft said in a statement.
The number of critical security bulletins issued by Microsoft this year so far is a fraction of the number issued last year, as the company intensifies efforts to boost the security and reliability of its products.
In a companywide memo issued two years ago, Chairman Bill Gates launched a "Trustworthy Computing" initiative, saying concerns over Microsoft's software would hurt its business.
Microsoft said that customers who have already installed the latest software or security updates will not be at risk due to the Outlook flaw.
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