toggle

AAPL Stock: 571.96 ( + 1.4 )

Apple fixes URI exploits with security update

updated 04:45 pm EDT, Mon June 7, 2004

Apple security update


Apple today released when an application is to be run for the first time either by opening a document or clicking on a URL related to the application."



  • LaunchServices (CVE-ID: CAN-2004-0538) Impact: LaunchServices automatically registers applications, which could be used to cause the system to run unexpected applications. Discussion: LaunchServices is a system component that discovers and opens applications. This system component has been modified to only open applications that have previously been explicitly run on the system. Attempts to run an application that has not previously been explicitly run will result in a user alert. Further information is available in this article.


  • Component: DiskImageMounter (No CVE ID--"this is only an additional preventative measure") Impact: The disk:// URI type mounts an anonymous remote file system using the http protocol. Discussion: The registration of the disk:// URI type is removed from the system as a preventative measure against attempts to automatically mount remote disk image file systems.

  • Safari (CAN-2004-0539)
    Impact: The "Show in Finder" button would open certain downloaded files, in some cases executing downloaded applications.
    Discussion: The "Show in Finder" button will now reveal files in a Finder window and will no longer attempt to open them. This modification is only available for Mac OS X v10.3.4 "Panther" and Mac OS X Server v10.3.4 "Panther" systems as the issue does not apply to Mac OS X v10.2.8 "Jaguar" or Mac OS X Server v10.2.8 "Jaguar".

  • Terminal (CVE-ID: Not applicable)
    Impact:
    Attempts to use a telnet:// URI with an alternate port number fail. Discussion: A modification has been made to allow the specification of an alternate port number in a telnet:// URI. This restores functionality that was removed with the recent fix for CAN-2004-0485.


by MacNN Staff

toggle

Comments

  1. hayesk

    Professional Poster

    Joined: Sep 1999

    0

    No more free publicity...

    ...for the security firms issuing press releases, blowing things out of proportion, to make a name for themselves.

  1. scotty321

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 1999

    0

    Hmmmm...

    This security update only alerts you the FIRST time an application tries to automatically open. What about the 2nd time or the 3rd time or whatever? Doesn't seem to be to big of a fix to me if it only alerts you once.

  1. Rosyna

    Forum Regular

    Joined: Aug 2001

    0

    Nice fix..

    So apple basically just did the exact same thing Paranoid Android did AND they disabled a perfectly good protocol for no good reason..

  1. MacnTX

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Apr 2004

    0

    Re: Hmmmm...

    Obviously if you tell it "NO" the first time an unsafe app tries to run then it hasn't actually run has it? So when/if whatever causes it to happen occurs again, you'll get the same warning...unless you're stupid enough to say yes the first time.

  1. TheBum

    Mac Enthusiast

    Joined: Sep 2001

    0

    Re: Hmmmm...

    I, for one, would be really annoyed if I got a warning dialog every time I tried to open a PDF by double-clicking on it. That's an example of why the dialog will only come up the first time.

  1. Jablabla

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jan 2000

    0

    Dialog shows

    legal disclaimer protecting Apple if your hard disk is erased.

    Just kidding...

  1. shawnce

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 2000

    0

    What?

    "past several weeks" my a$$

  1. pdot

    Senior User

    Joined: Aug 2000

    0

    no install problems

    installed and rebooted w/o issues

    G4/400 AGP
    OS 10.3.4

  1. flask

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: May 2004

    0

    outrage

    I'm waiting for the outrage of all the people who claimed the URI exploit wasn't a problem and that OS X was flawless. Apparently Apple thinks it was enough of a concern to fix it. Even our beloved Apple can make mistakes now and then; the important thing is that they acknowledge them and fix them. Those of you who denied its existence were of no help, and I'm glad Apple wasn't as big-headed as you were.

  1. SomeToast

    Senior User

    Joined: Jan 1999

    0

    re: Nice fix..

    So apple basically just did the exact same thing Paranoid Android did AND they disabled a perfectly good protocol for no good reason..

    I'm not seeing an APE requirement with Security Update 2004-06-07.   ; )

Login Here

Not a member of the MacNN forums? Register now for free.

 
close
Photo
toggle

Network Headlines

toggle

Most Popular

MacNN Sponsor

Recent Reviews

iHome iW2 AirPlay speaker

iHome generally isn't known as a luxury brand when it comes to audio, but it is prolific -- the company's docks and speakers are every ...

Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover

One of the iPad's main weaknesses has always been productivity. It's not a question of apps; while it has taken a little time for a na ...

Logitech UE Air Speaker

If maybe a little more slowly than Apple would like, AirPlay is becoming a staple of the wireless speaker market for iOS devices. The ...

toggle

Most Commented