Advisory: PureMessage for Microsoft Exchange-error when opening console 'Error retrieving data from the server...System.NullReferenceException'

Issue
When opening the PureMessage Administration console the following error is returned:

Error retrieving data from the server. Ensure server / database is started and try again.

System.NullReferenceException. Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
  at PMAdminControls.CustomControls.ServerGrid.LoadServerEx()
at PMAdminControls.CustomControls.ServerGrid.LoadServer()

Sophos Product and Version
PureMessage for Microsoft Exchange, version 3.0.x

Operating System
Windows

What to do

Create a new shortcut for the PureMessage Administration console:

Windows XP/2000/2003

1. Click Start|Run, type mmc and click OK.
2. In the console window, select File|Add/Remove Snap-in, then click 'Add'.
3. From the list of available snap-ins highlight PureMessage Administration Console and click 'Add'.
4. Do one of the following: 
   • Click OK to choose the Local computer,
   • If PureMessage is installed on a remote computer, Choose 'Another computer' and type the computer name. Click OK and Close
5. Click OK to return to the PureMessage Administration Console
6. In the console window, click File|Save As and choose a filename and location to save the console.

Windows 2008

1. Click Start|Run, type mmc and click OK
2. In the console window, click File|Add/Remove Snap-in.
3. From the list of available snap-ins highlight PureMessage Administration Console and click 'Add'.
   • Click OK to choose the Local computer,
   • If PureMessage is installed on a remote computer, Choose 'Another computer' and type the computer name. Click OK and OK
4. In the console window, click File|Save As and choose a filename and location to save the console.

Technical Information
This issue is caused by a Microsoft Security Update to resolve a vulnerability in the Microsoft Active Template Library (ATL) http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/973882.mspx