DailyTech - Apple Fixes Flash Security Flaw, Bugs With OS X 10.6.1 Update

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Software Apple Fixes Flash Security Flaw, Bugs With OS X 10.6.1 Update
Jason Mick (Blog) - September 11, 2009 9:11 AM

26 comment(s) - last by gstrickler.. on Sep 17 at 9:37 PM

Apple has also issued a fix for iMacs, that looks to fix some of the graphics issues they have experienced. (Source: Apple)

Apple has released an important update for Mac users

On August 28, Apple began shipping OS X Snow Leopard. Soon after, it was discovered that Apple had shipped a vulnerable version of Adobe's Flash player to customers. The Snow Leopard installer would actually downgrade users' Flash players to the defunct version.

Now Apple has released a group of updates, which include a fix for this issue. The most significant of these updates is OS X 10.6.1, the first major update to the two week old OS.

The update installs Adobe Flash Player plug-in version 10.0.32.1, bringing the player up to speed. It also fixes a flaw in Motion 4 that could cause unresponsiveness, issues sending SMTP mail with some servers, and problems with the auto setup features of Mail (Apple's mail client). It also offers a fix to compatibility problems with Sierra Wireless 3G modems, issues with finding printer drivers in the Add Printer OS option, issues with DVD playback suddenly stopping, issues with the Dock becoming unresponsive, and, lastly, issues with the keyboard shortcut Command-Option-T bringing up the special characters menu.

The download weighs in at 71.74 MB. Customers can get it direct from Apple, or wait for their Software Update to kick in.

Apple also released updates to many of its other OS's. Apple's new Mac OS X Server, also just shipped, received an update to 10.6.1. Apple released a pack of security updates dubbed Security 2009-005 for its Leopard Server (93.1MB), Leopard (93.14MB), Tiger Server (206.43MB), Tiger Server Power PC (132.53MB), and Tiger Intel (169.75MB) operating systems.

Apple released an update for its iMacs, which should help to fix some of the graphics issues with the ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro or ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT graphics cards. The update is available for systems running OS X 10.5.2 or later. Apple also updated the firmware of its RAID Card, reportedly improving battery life, reliability on system crash (or power loss), improving Snow Leopard compatibility, and fixing a bug that would fill the onboard flash memory with garbage.

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All the hate must be working?

By smackababy on 9/11/2009 9:23:22 AM , Rating: 5

It seems Apple is patching faster than usual. As much as I dislike Apple, they are improving when it comes to security and patching. It might not be much, but it is a start.

RE: All the hate must be working?

By JasonMick

(blog) on 9/11/2009 9:31:29 AM , Rating: 3

I definitely agree, this does seem to be another sign of progress.

I still think Apple needs to switch over to pushing out more individual updates and less bundled updates. As it is, the Flash vulnerability would have been fixed in 30 days (the automatic update window). Apple has essentially cut this in half, releasing an update after 14 days. However, if it simply pushed out a fix for *only* this issue, it would likely have been able to have a fix tested and delivered within a week, at least.

It could still bundle the updates later (like Microsoft does), but it really needs to switch to getting fixes out ASAP to safeguard its customers better. Kudos to Microsoft for already doing this.

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RE: All the hate must be working?

By chick0n on 9/11/09, Rating: -1

RE: All the hate must be working?

By CrazyBernie on 9/11/2009 11:34:32 AM , Rating: 5

quote:
Do you really think MOST Mac user even know how to download patches ?

That's probably why the update software is enabled by default.

Seriously, if you're gonna Apple bash by calling their users stupid dumbasses, you look just as bad as the Apple fanboys talking up their "virus-proof" operating system.

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RE: All the hate must be working?

By hiscross on 9/11/2009 8:31:17 PM , Rating: 2

I didn't know DT even allowed people to post comments that have Not been potty trained. Worst yet, your dear mom is still forced to change your diapers and spoon feed you.

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RE: All the hate must be working?

By dcalfine on 9/11/2009 10:45:51 AM , Rating: 1

That's a little self-centered. You think Apple cares what you think? No, the software had bugs and they fixed them.

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RE: All the hate must be working?

By jonmcc33 on 9/11/2009 7:18:09 PM , Rating: 2

When they ship a product with a known flaw they are not improving anything...especially when their ads are full of lies about being the most secure OS in the world.

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They just work!!

By damianrobertjones on 9/11/2009 9:47:19 AM , Rating: 2

Slightly off topic:

I look after lots of MS boxes/servers etc and although I'm sure that OSX is great at what it does, it's the smug and often misleading things from apple that get on my breasts (Like the adverts... Don't they realise that they are actually offending me as I own multiple pcs!)

Anyhow, just this week the company visited the NEC trade show for various coffee things and one major designer was at such a meeting. One staff member said to me, "Thanks for getting the projector for us, even though we couldn't get it to work!" I looked a bit 'why not?'

"Well, he brought out his apple mac and none of us could get it to work."

Oh how I felt smug and happy. "They just work?"

RE: They just work!!

By harmaton on 9/11/09, Rating: -1

RE: They just work!!

By damianrobertjones on 9/11/2009 12:40:22 PM , Rating: 3

Well, to be honest, I'll always admit to my lady friend when I see a good looking guy, but that doesn't make me gay, as I feel that it makes me comfortable with my sexuality.

Other than that, my chosen sexual preference is directed towards women. Men are far too hairy.

If you meant, "You're gay" in a 1960s way then yeah, I'm pretty happy right now. Just played Trackmania, got a gold medal. Pretty good, thanks.

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RE: They just work!!

By HrilL on 9/11/2009 11:34:49 AM , Rating: 2

I have to agree. The Mac users in one of our departments always need help over the dumbest things. Like did you make sure the cable was plugged in, did you check to make sure it was on the right input setting? ("It worked yesterday" is their reply.) Things that are supposed to be common sense seem to slip their minds. People not being able to connect to a terminal server. The RDP application for MAC completely sucks. It doesn't give errors. 90% the time people complain its not working and it turns out they typed their password wrong. But it doesn't tell you that. It will just sit there trying to connect forever.

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RE: They just work!!

By damianrobertjones on 9/11/2009 12:42:29 PM , Rating: 2

I'm about to get a mac (shudder) to spend a bit more time looking at how it does things etc. No point bashing the competition 'if' you've not sampled for an extended period.

"..just sit there trying to connect forever"

Nice! I look forward to these things :)

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RE: They just work!!

By hiscross on 9/11/2009 8:34:24 PM , Rating: 2

You've held a job in your life. No one will hire you. Now, who is dumb and who us smart.

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RE: They just work!!

By jonmcc33 on 9/12/2009 7:55:37 PM , Rating: 2

Are you talking about VNC? Yeah, I remember issues of a MacBook with Leopard always disconnecting people randomly when we were trying to hold training sessions through the MacBook. Doesn't seem like it can handle more than a few simultaneous connections at once.

I also recall a time where some woman brought a Mac to a meeting with the company that I worked for at the time. No matter what she tried it just refused to pick up a DHCP address. They called me and expected me to get it to work. I plugged a Windows laptop into the same jack and it worked fine.

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But....but....

By Spivonious on 9/11/2009 9:34:35 AM , Rating: 3

I thought Macs just worked?

RE: But....but....

By SublimeSimplicity on 9/11/2009 9:40:04 AM , Rating: 2

I agree... what's the big deal.

That smug kid from Dodgeball said that Macs don't have viruses.

So who cares how many vulnerabilities there are if there's nothing to exploit them.

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RE: But....but....

By R3T4rd on 9/11/2009 9:48:13 AM , Rating: 2

They do...dude.

Except..this...and this....and this...and this...and this..and this..and this..and thiss..and this...and thiss...and this....and this...and this...and this...and this..and this...and this...and this...and this...and this..and this...and this..and this..and this..and this..and this..and this....and this...and this...and thiss...and this...and this...and this...and this...and this....ow my head hurts...lost count.

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Apple named it Rain Leopard

By bigboxes on 9/11/2009 11:26:28 AM , Rating: 3

and charged $29 for it.

RE: Apple named it Rain Leopard

By bobcpg on 9/11/2009 12:26:32 PM , Rating: 2

Oh thats good:
+1

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RE: Apple named it Rain Leopard

By Dennis Travis on 9/11/2009 4:10:57 PM , Rating: 2

But do Leopard's like the rain? My cats hate water! :D

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Still not quite there...

By bernardl on 9/11/2009 11:24:55 PM , Rating: 3

Although Apple has tried amazingly hard to keep this under control, there are very serious stability problems with SL that remain present after 10.6.1 upgrade.

Many users keep reporting application abends at save with Photoshop and other leading pro apps... I cannot think of a more critical bug with an OS, besides perhaps the impossibility to log in.

Although I love OSX, I am shocked by these issues and the way various leading online publications - including Anandtech and Macworld - have so far not reported on them.

Were 1/10th of that to happen with Win 7, it would make the headlines of the NY times.

Cheers,
Bernard

RE: Still not quite there...

By damianrobertjones on 9/12/2009 7:05:08 AM , Rating: 2

Exactly.

There does seem to be something going on behind the scenes.

Money changing hands or perks?

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RE: Still not quite there...

By dark matter on 9/14/2009 5:11:24 AM , Rating: 2

So many people have bought into the Apple PR machine no-one wants to admit they have been fooled. Well, at the very least no-one wants to be the first to the tell the Emporer "look, about these new clothes...."

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Whaaa....

By bobcpg on 9/11/2009 9:28:03 AM , Rating: 3

I thought only innovation and uniqueness comes out of Apple. What is this fixing business?

RE: Whaaa....

By Pirks on 9/11/2009 3:18:17 PM , Rating: 2

Sometimes they are way too innovative and these fixes kind of backpedal their stuff to normal (i.e. bearable) levels of innovation. Doesn't work for their hardware innovations though, like their new 24" LED Cinema monitor

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Correction:

By gstrickler on 9/17/2009 9:37:14 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
Apple Fixes Flash Security Flaw

Apple did not fix (or create) the flaw, Adobe did. Apple merely pushed out the update along with other updates.

"Google fired a shot heard 'round the world, and now a second American company has answered the call to defend the rights of the Chinese people." -- Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-N.J.)