Oracle plans to release a large number of security patches for its various software products next week, including six bug fixes for its flagship database software.

All told, there will be 73 security vulnerabilities fixed across Oracle's various product lines. Oracle releases patches for all of its software - except the Java virtual machine -- quarterly, in a set of patches it calls the Critical Patch Update (CPU).

Next week's CPU is due on Tuesday. There are nine fixes set for Oracle Fusion middleware, 14 for the PeopleSoft Suite and eight for the JD Edwards Suite.

Two of the database flaws are considered critical, meaning they "may be exploited over a network without the need for a username and password," Oracle said in a statement posted to its website Thursday.

More: http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9215838/