Users of Internet Explorer, Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 will want to be aware of a recent warning that Microsoft published. Starting today, the company began notifying the world that anyone using a combination of IE and the mentioned operating systems is at risk of having a recently-published ActiveX flaw exploited. In order for users to protect themselves, Microsoft is advising its customers to disable the ActiveX component that is to blame, going so far as to offering steps and one-click solutions on accomplishing just that.
The fact that Microsoft has published a security article along with a workaround so quickly indicates they are classifying this threat as very severe. Normally, even for dangerous flaws Microsoft opts to wait until Patch Tuesday before addressing any known security issues. Here, they are offering workarounds while a patch is created. Given the serious nature of the flaw, they will likely release a patch in the upcoming patch cycle.