Apple and Adobe Patches Correct Security Holes

Patch Tuesday is a Microsoft institution, but competing software companies are stealing some of the attention this week with security issues of their own. On Tuesday, Apple released Mac OS X 10.5.7, an update for its operating system that aims to improve application performance and stability -- and fix 68 security issues.

"Who would have thought that OS X was so insecure? Nearly every component of Apple's OS and its applications are touched by security-related fixes in the latest massive update from Apple," said Andrew Storms, director of security operations for nCircle. "This is a real wake-up call for everyone that has been touting the Mac OS as more secure than Windows."

Holes in Apple Products

As is the recent trend with Apple, Storms said a fair number of the updates are for the open-source applications bundled with its operating system rather than issues with the core of Apple's software products.

"As we have seen in the past with both OS X and the iPhone, attackers utilize public disclosure of open-source application vulnerabilities to find holes in Apple products," Storms said. "Now that Apple has let the security cat out of the bag, users are encouraged to update as soon as possible because exploits will be written very quickly."

The update is available through Apple's Software Update control panel or from the downloads Web page. The update adds RAW image support for several new digital-camera models; improves the reliability and accuracy of the Unit Converter, Stocks, Weather and Movies widgets; improves video playback and cursor movement for Macs with Nvidia graphics; fixes Yahoo contact-sync issues; Gmail log-in issues; and improves the search results for Finder. The update also resolves issues with Apple's iCal and Mail applications, parental controls, and a few printing issues.

Adobe Finally Responds

Perhaps more pressing than the Apple updates -- or even...