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February 15, 2007 3:54 PM PST

Apple plugs four security holes

  • 24 comments
Apple issued four security updates Thursday to fix flaws in Mac OS X and iChat identified by the Month of Apple Bugs project.

Two of the flaws could allow an attacker to execute code on an unpatched system, Apple said. Patches are now available on Apple's Web site or through the Software Update selection under the Apple menu on a Mac.

Apple noted that proof-of-concepts for the flaws were posted on the Month of Apple Bugs Web site. But it doesn't appear that attack code has surfaced using the concepts outlined by the project. Apple has fixed several flaws identified during the course of January by the project, but some remain open.

The two flaws that could lead to arbitrary code execution are found in Finder and iChat. There's a buffer overflow flaw in Finder that could allow an attacker to take control of a system by "enticing a user into mounting a malicious disk image," or tricking someone into enabling local access of a file supposedly stored on a remote server. Apple credited Kevin Finisterre, one of the participants in the Month of Apple Bugs project, for reporting the issue, something it did not do on the three other flaws patched on Thursday.

The other patch, for iChat, fixes an issue in which a user could click on a malicious URL in a chat session and trigger an overflow, possibly opening the system to an attacker.

Two patches concern flaws that require a malicious local user. This includes another iChat flaw that could cause the application to crash as well as a fix for a UserNotification flaw that could allow system files to be overwritten.

See more CNET content tagged:
Apple iChat, flaw, Apple Computer, attacker, project

Add a Comment (Log in or register) (24 Comments)
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Never assume you are 100 percent safe
by Seaspray0 February 15, 2007 5:10 PM PST
Two of the flaws could allow an attacker to execute code on an unpatched system, Apple said.

This is reason enough you should take security seriously. Keep your computer patched and up to date and never assume your computer is invincible.
Reply to this comment
Thanks dad! NT
by BlackMicro February 15, 2007 7:53 PM PST
NT
Good Advise
by Jesus#2 February 15, 2007 7:54 PM PST
I think most Apple users agree.. while we might tout the fact that
there are no viruses in the wild for the Mac OS.. must of us are
painfully familiar with what happens when a computer is
compromised (when using another OS).
Most computer users have a healthy appreciation for needing to
keep our computers secure.
View reply
not Apple
by hoss805 February 15, 2007 9:18 PM PST
i think they were talking about happle
not apple
apple world is perfect.
if this was a microsoft, apple users would be bashing the hell out of microsoft
Reply to this comment
Nobody said they were perfect.
by Macsaresafer February 16, 2007 4:41 AM PST
There's a huge range of quality between zero potential
vulnerabilities and 118,000+ actual exploits for Apple to occupy. A
few potential vulnerabilities is about as close to perfection as
anyone can hope for, but you're probably too busy setting up
multple firewalls and antivirus screens to see that.
View reply
not Apple
by hoss805 February 15, 2007 9:18 PM PST
i think they were talking about happle
not apple
apple world is perfect.
if this was a microsoft, apple users would be bashing the hell out of microsoft
Reply to this comment
Nobody said they were perfect.
by Macsaresafer May 6, 2008 9:56 AM PDT
There's a huge range of quality between zero potential
vulnerabilities and 118,000+ actual exploits for Apple to occupy. A
few potential vulnerabilities is about as close to perfection as
anyone can hope for, but you're probably too busy setting up
multple firewalls and antivirus screens to see that.
View reply
Bootcamp and Parallels
by burgher February 16, 2007 2:02 PM PST
If you are using the file sharing option in Parallels to allow the
Windows virtual machine to access files on your hard drive, a virus
could infect the files on the mac partition. If those files are later e-
mailed or transferred to another machine they could be spread.

Apple and Parallels both recommend using anti-virus software
when running Windows either via Bootcamp or Parallels and makes
good sense. Just because it's a virtual machine or a dual-boot
doesn't mean that it can't be compromised.
Reply to this comment
True.
by Macsaresafer February 17, 2007 12:01 AM PST
Anytime you run Windows you must use extra caution. Virtual or
not, it's still very vulnerable.
Bootcamp and Parallels
by burgher February 16, 2007 2:02 PM PST
If you are using the file sharing option in Parallels to allow the
Windows virtual machine to access files on your hard drive, a virus
could infect the files on the mac partition. If those files are later e-
mailed or transferred to another machine they could be spread.

Apple and Parallels both recommend using anti-virus software
when running Windows either via Bootcamp or Parallels and makes
good sense. Just because it's a virtual machine or a dual-boot
doesn't mean that it can't be compromised.
Reply to this comment
True.
by Macsaresafer February 17, 2007 12:01 AM PST
Anytime you run Windows you must use extra caution. Virtual or
not, it's still very vulnerable.
I can't believe this article! (* WINK *)
by wbenton February 20, 2007 5:11 AM PST
This can't be right!!! (* GRIN *)

Apple's MAC OS is invincible to such security holes. (* ROFLOL *)

BOTTOM LINE: Any/All OS's have the possibility for a few vulnerabilities... there is no such thing as a vulnerable-proof Operating System... regardless of what anybody thinks.

The quickest way to find a flaw in anything is to boast it as impennetrable and offer anybody who penetrates it $1000!

Then you'll see just how vulnerable you are! (* GRIN *)

Walt
Reply to this comment
I can't believe this article! (* WINK *)
by wbenton February 20, 2007 5:11 AM PST
This can't be right!!! (* GRIN *)

Apple's MAC OS is invincible to such security holes. (* ROFLOL *)

BOTTOM LINE: Any/All OS's have the possibility for a few vulnerabilities... there is no such thing as a vulnerable-proof Operating System... regardless of what anybody thinks.

The quickest way to find a flaw in anything is to boast it as impennetrable and offer anybody who penetrates it $1000!

Then you'll see just how vulnerable you are! (* GRIN *)

Walt
Reply to this comment
Never assume you are 100 percent safe
by Seaspray0 May 6, 2008 9:56 AM PDT
Two of the flaws could allow an attacker to execute code on an unpatched system, Apple said.

This is reason enough you should take security seriously. Keep your computer patched and up to date and never assume your computer is invincible.
Reply to this comment
Thanks dad! NT
by BlackMicro February 15, 2007 7:53 PM PST
NT
Good Advise
by Jesus#2 February 15, 2007 7:54 PM PST
I think most Apple users agree.. while we might tout the fact that
there are no viruses in the wild for the Mac OS.. must of us are
painfully familiar with what happens when a computer is
compromised (when using another OS).
Most computer users have a healthy appreciation for needing to
keep our computers secure.
View reply
(24 Comments)
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