Apple fixes 15 flaws in Mac OS X

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Apple Computer released an update to its Mac OS X operating system on Tuesday to fix 15 security issues in the software. Many of the problems are flaws in the operating system's underlying open-source software, including a critical flaw in the Kerberos authentication system--software that can act as a gatekeeper for computer networks. The patch is available for Mac OS X 10.3.5 and Mac OS X 10.3.4, and also fixes issues in Mac OS X 10.2, known as "Jaguar."

"All security enhancements...are also available for Jaguar, if the issue could occur on Jaguar systems," a security advisory from the company said.

The patch fixes software flaws that could enable an attacker to crash or freeze the Apache 2 Web server, run software by utilizing Apple's Safari Web browser or expose the password store used by the network. Security information provider Secunia/news:link> ranked the Kerberos threat as "highly critical," its second-highest danger rating.

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News source: C|Net News

Cont...

"We actually wanted to work on licensed properties first - to build up Bioware's reputation, to build up our knowledge of our craft, and to build up our team's experience," Muzyka explained to us at the show. "Now that we've got some experience and have a bit more of an idea of what we're doing, we want to make some new IPs, and Jade Empire is the first."

"Dragon Age is another one, and we have a third IP in development as well," he revealed. "All of these are Bioware-created, Bioware-owned IPs - brand new worlds that we've created. So, we're pretty excited."

Muzyka also revealed that a PC version of Jade Empire remains a possibility - but insisted that Bioware is focused on the Xbox version for now.

"On Knights of the Old Republic we always planned to do a PC version. This time, we might do one, but it's something we have to talk to Microsoft about," he explained. "They're not averse to the idea, but really, it's Xbox exclusive - it's really been designed for the Xbox."

Set in a fantasy world themed after medieval oriental legends, Jade Empire features a combination of Bioware's in-depth storytelling and character development with a rich real-time combat system which allows the player to learn and use a wide range of different fighting styles.

(1 reply) #1 StaticFish on 08 Sep 2004 - 09:35

let the fanboyism begin

#1.1 shao on 08 Sep 2004 - 14:20

tis certainly a different looking comments thread compared to the "wmp10 has 4 problems (which 99% of people would never encounter)" where every tom dick and harry were taking pot shots at microsoft.

also, whilst i'm at it i'd like to thank all of the people that critcise microsoft for being bad when it comes to the length of time it takes them to respond to, and resolve security issues - often taking months. Although, it's great that apple now appear to be a similar game, with some of the flaws being fixed with this patch dating back over 6 months.

let the flaming of my ass begin.

#2 _//_TechTV on 08 Sep 2004 - 10:13

I think that this is good, Apple fixes its Operating Systems problems, while also highlighting the fact that *nix based systems are not perfect.

#3 iMike on 08 Sep 2004 - 10:49

while it has security improvements, it also breaks a lot of sites on safari. it's a mixed blessing

(4 replies) #4 andrewfee on 08 Sep 2004 - 12:25

Have they fixed the calculator yet?

Even simple sums such as: 9533.24 - 0.1 doesn't work right in it.

I'm not trying to flame or anything, I'm currently waiting on my iMac G5, but it's unbelievable that they don't have a properly working calculator.

#4.1 Capiora on 08 Sep 2004 - 12:34

it worked at the expo, at least the guy at the education stand calculated the price of my iPod with it

#4.2 andrewfee on 08 Sep 2004 - 12:51

It only happens under certain conditions I hear, the first number has to be over 1000 for example.

The answer should be 9533.14, but it shows up as 9533.13999999 on a mac. Only shows up in iCalc though, not other apps.

#4.3 Callaway on 08 Sep 2004 - 13:18

talk about floating point processor lol..

#4.4 nic on 08 Sep 2004 - 22:50

floating point math gets really icky, no matter what processor you are talking about. There just isn't an infinite amount of space to hold an infinite amount of numbers between all integers.

#5 insanekiwi on 08 Sep 2004 - 13:09

nice.

(1 reply) #6 fubarshibby on 08 Sep 2004 - 13:38

Ah, I can't wait till I get an iMac... Soon...

#6.1 Dayon on 08 Sep 2004 - 23:58

But....they're so ugly.....

I mean, I love the look of the regular Mac Cases, but the iMacs are just....ugly....

#7 R002092 on 09 Sep 2004 - 02:22

Not very wised up on the Apple stuff, but the article uses to words, flaws and enhancements. Which is it? Surely they cant be both. Enhancements suggests that it was working fine in the first place, they just made it better. I read the Apple security report, and they certainly sound like flaws to me.

#8 guppydrop on 09 Sep 2004 - 04:38

6-month old flaws being fixed? Non-working calculator apps? I guess the real fixes and "enhancements" will come in the yearly paid-for service pack. Go Bobcat, or whatever it's called this time around.

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