Computer maker Apple is alerting consumers to a security patch concerning Java for its operating system, Leopard (version 10.5.8 or later). Apple explained on its security
update Website Sept. 3 that the version of Java installed with the Leopard OS
"may allow an untrusted Java applet to obtain elevated privileges."
Apple's patch updates Leopard to Java versions 1.6.0_15, 1.5.0_20 and
1.4.2_22. In the update, Apple cautioned, "Visiting a Web page containing
a maliciously crafted untrusted Java applet may lead to arbitrary code
execution with the privileges of the current user. ... A stack buffer overflow
exists in [the] Java Web Start command launcher. Launching a maliciously
crafted Java Web Start application may lead to an unexpected application
termination or arbitrary code execution."
Apple is dealing with a bug caused by the elimination of support for Apple
Talk, which has caused the OS to cease connecting to older Ethernet-networked
printers, according to Apple blog
Macworld. However, the blog revealed Sept. 4 that accessing Print & Fax
System Preferences can reconnect the computer. In addition, there have been
reports of DVD playback stopping
unexpectedly and problems regarding automatic account setup in Mail.
The patch for the older version of the company's OS comes as Snow Leopard hits the consumer market. Announced by Apple CEO
Steve Jobs at the company's WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference) in June
2008, Snow Leopard shipped in August 2009. It is being sold as an upgrade for Intel-based
Macs running Leopard at $29 for a single-user license and $49 for the Family Pack.
For a qualifying computer bought after June 8, the upgrade price is $9.95. Apple
rewrote the Finder in 64-bit Cocoa
to take advantage of other new process improvements in Snow Leopard, which
include "faster startup, shutdown, installation, Time Machine backup and
connection establishment," a "smaller OS footprint on disk, freeing 7GB
or more" and faster JPG and PDF file format refreshes.
Despite a low price that should encourage consumers to upgrade, pundits'
predictions that this release will bolster Apple's position in the enterprise
may be premature.
"Apple has increased its market share notably over the past couple
years, and partially that's due to how miserably Microsoft has done with [Windows]
Vista," Pund-IT Research's
Charles King told eWEEK, "but they're still in the high single- or low
double-digits compared to Microsoft. When Windows 7 comes out, I think it'll be
harder for Apple to differentiate its platform."
Updated: This story was updated to correct the OS version name.
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