Apple today released the Mac OS X 10.4.5 Update (PowerPC), which is available via the Software Update and is recommended for all users; it includes general operating system fixes, as well as specific fixes for iChat video conferencing, Safari rendering of web pages, usability of Dashboard and widgets, viewing of QuickTime streaming media behind a firewall, printing to some Epson printer models, iDisk and Portable Home Directory syncing, time zone and daylight savings for 2006 and 2007, VPN connections to Cisco servers when using NAT, compatibility with third-party applications and devices, and previous standalone security updates. A version is also available for Intel Macs and as a Combo update. It is also available for Mac OS X Server. The specific improvements are listed on the web, while Apple also said it included an important security fix for an issue, which could allow a malicious local user to cause a system crash.

Apple said that a malicious local user may trigger a system crash by invoking an undocumented system call. Apple has addressed the issue by removing the system call from the kernel, according to its documentation.

The Mac OS X Server version also includes separate fixes to address issues when using MySQL on systems with more than 4GB of RAM and printing problems to some Epson printer models.

Internet, iDisk, and networking

• Safari no longer quits unexpectedly when deleting AOL mail messages via AOL webmail.
  
  
• Apple's IPSec VPN client now works with Cisco servers whether or not NAT is used.
  
  
• Addresses an issue in which you could not sync with an iDisk larger than 4 GB.
  
  
• Files copied across a network via Portable Home Directories are now copied as temporary files until the transfer is complete, in case the network connection is interrupted before the transfer finished.
  
  
• Addresses an issue in which some Epson printers could not successfully print via AirPort Extreme.
  

• Allows the rotating cube effect to appear as expected on both a primary and a mirrored display, when switching users via Fast User switching.
  
  
• Addresses an issue for Mac OS X 10.4.4 in which background columns of text within the RSS Visualizer screen saver are sometimes superimposed over one another.
  
  
• Dragging a widget out of the widget bar while the desktop picture is changing (automatically, for example) no longer stops the animation on an Intel-based Mac.
  
  
• On an Intel-based Mac, Telestream Flip4Mac now installs correctly.
  
  
• Prevents the Setup Assistant from unexpectedly quitting if Kotoeri is selected as the keyboard type following an English language installation of Mac OS X.
  
  
• Allows applications that run using Rosetta on an Intel-based Mac to successfully open files that are located via an Open window's "search" field.
  
  
• Addresses an issue in which Rosetta-translated applications running on Intel-based Macs would not correctly receive Keychain notifications.
  
  
• Console no longer reports a series of "Quartz Composer QuickTime Component" messages for iMovie '06 when applying a Ken Burns clip or image.
  
  
• Addresses an issue for iMovie HD and Mac OS X 10.4.4 in which iMovie could unexpectedly quit when switching themes.
  
  
• Eliminates some potential video redraw issues when using Front Row on Intel-based Macs.
  
  
• Updated the rules for time zones and Daylight Savings Time to conform to changes in the law for the United States, Australia, and other locations, for 2006 and later.
  
  
• Addresses a potential issue that could cause the system process "configd" to unexpectedly stall.
  
  
• Addresses an issue when viewing streaming media behind a firewall on Intel Macs.