The update is rated "critical" because of the risk of remote code execution attacks via rigged PDF files.

Two of the bulletins are rated "critical" for all versions of Microsoft's flagship operating system, including Windows 7 and Windows Server 2003 R2.

The hackers hit the server hosting the software that Apache.org uses to it to track issues and requests and stole passwords from all users.

The patches will be released alongside a new automatic updater software that the company hopes will speed up the downloading and deployment of its security fixes.

Five of the 11 bulletins will be rated "critical," Microsoft's highest severity rating. The flaws affect all versions of Windows, including the company's newest Windows 7 operating system.

There is more that can be done with this latest PDF hack that may not be immediately apparent. We could start seeing persistent PDF worm attacks.

The update, available for Windows, Solaris and Linux, addresses issues that could be remotely exploitable without authentication.

The Firefox 3.6.3 update is rated critical. It fixes a flaw that was exploited at this year's CanSecWest Pwn2Own hacker challenge.

Over the last week, Apple has shipped security patches to cover 88 vulnerabilities in Mac operating system, 16 holes in the QuickTime media player, 7 flaws in iTunes and a security bug in the AirPort Base Station.

Security response teams at Adobe and FoxIt are investigating ways to mitigate a new PDF hack that allows the execution of an embedded executable without exploiting any security vulnerabilities.