September 10th, 2009
Mac OS 10.6.1 released, squashes 9 Flash vulnerabilities (updated)
Apple tonight released Mac OS 10.6.1 (build 10B504) via Software Update.
The 74MB update (download page) fixes several bugs, as noted below, and includes “general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac.”
Bug fixes mentioned in the release notes include:
- compatibility with some Sierra Wireless 3G modems
- an issue that might cause DVD playback to stop unexpectedly
- some printer compatibility drivers not appearing properly in the add printer browser
- an issue that might make it difficult to remove an item from the Dock
- instances where automatic account setup in Mail might not work
- an issue where pressing cmd-opt-t in Mail brings up the special characters menu instead of moving a message
- Motion 4 becoming unresponsive
On the security side of things Apple’s 10.6.1 update patches several critical Flash bugs. Our own Ryan Naraine reports that 10.6.1 fixes an issue with the version of Flash Player that was included with 10.6.0 which was discovered to have nine different vulnerabilities, the most serious of which could lead to computer takeover attacks via rigged Web pages.
Apple recommends that all users running Snow Leopard install 10.6.1 immediately, but I’d give it at least 72 hours to marinade — especially if your running mission critical software.
UPDATE: For users note running 10.6 Apple separately shipped Security Update 2009-005 which fixes several “arbitrary code execution” vulnerabilities and includes the patched Flash Player plug-in mentioned above.
Jason D. O'Grady is the editor of PowerPage.org, which has been publishing daily mobile technology news since December 1995. For disclosures on Jason's industry affiliations, click here or to view Jason's full profile click here.
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