Microsoft Corp. on Tuesday released 12 security fixes for its Windows operating system and Office business software.

Seven of the patches are to fix Windows flaws that carry the company's highest danger rating. In its monthly security bulletin, Microsoft also said that two of the fixes are for vulnerabilities in some versions of its Office software that carry the highest"critical"rating. One of those fixes also applies to the 2004 version of Office for Apple Computer Inc.'s Macintosh systems.

All of the patches are to fix weaknesses that could allow an attacker to take complete control of a person's computer.