Security flaws in Adobe Acrobat Reader that could allow an attacker to take over a user's system have been dealt with, as Adobe has patched the software.

Problems relating to Windows and Mac platforms and Reader are to do with the way the software uses .etd files in handling eBooks.

"The problem is a format string vulnerability in version 6.0.2 of Adobe Reader, allowing users to craft a special .etd file that could cause an invalid memory access and allow for the execution of malicious code with the privileges of the user."

Aside from implementing the patch, users can work around this flaw by stopping Acrobat Reader from having the ability to open eBooks, by deleting the file C:Program FilesAdobeAcrobat 6.0Readerplug_inseBook.api from their systems.

Other problems affecting the Reader software on the UNIX platform have also been corrected.