March 2012 Microsoft Security Bulletin Release‏...

What is the purpose of this alert?     As part of the monthly security bulletin release cycle, Microsoft provides advance notification to our customers on the number of new security updates being released, the products affected, the aggregate maximum severity, and information about detection tools relevant to the update. This is intended to help our customers plan for the deployment of these security updates more effectively. On March 13, 2012, Microsoft is planning to release six new security bulletins. Below is a summary.       NEW BULLETIN SUMMARY   Bulletin ID Maximum Severity Rating Vulnerability Impact Restart Requirement Affected Software* Bulletin 1 Critical Remote Code Execution Requires restart Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 R2. Bulletin 2 Important Denial of Service Requires restart Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008 (except Itanium-based systems), and Windows Server 2008 R2 (except Itanium-based systems). Bulletin 3 Important Elevation of Privilege Requires restart Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 R2. Bulletin 4 Important Elevation of Privilege May require restart Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 and Visual Studio 2010. Bulletin 5 Important Remote Code Execution May require restart Microsoft Expression Design, Expression Design 2, Expression Design 3, and Expression Design 4. Bulletin 6 Moderate Denial of Service May require restart Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 (except Itanium-based systems), Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 R2. * The list of affected software in the summary table is an abstract. To see the full list of affected components please click on the "Advance Notification Webpage" link below and review the "Affected Software" section.           Although we do not anticipate any changes, the number of bulletins, products affected, restart information, and severities are subject to change until released. Advance Notification Webpage: The full version of the Microsoft Security Bulletin Advance Notification for this month can be found at http://technet.microsoft.com/security/bulletin/ms12-mar. Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool: Microsoft will release an updated version of the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool on Windows Update, Microsoft Update, Windows Server Update Services, and the Download Center. Monthly Security Bulletin Webcast: To address customer questions on these bulletins Microsoft will host a webcast next Wednesday, March 14, 2012, at 11:00 A.M. Pacific Time (UTC-8). Registration for this event and other details can be found at http://technet.microsoft.com/security/bulletin/.