Java security updates released this week

Oracle has released a new version of Java 6 and Java 7 in response to new vulnerabilities that allow malicious web sites to allow full access to systems when web browsers with Java enabled visit them.

This only affects client side use of Java, as in web start apps or the Java plugin in web browsers. It should not be exploitable by server side uses of Java. 

As a precaution, however everyone is recommended to install the latest Java patches. Scientific Linux and Red hat have both released updated Java 6 and 7 packages. New packages for Mac and Windows systems are also available.