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Security-Updated Versions Of Mozilla Released

petabyte writes "As mentioned in this Mozillazine article, there are new versions of the Mozilla Suite (1.7.2), Mozilla Firefox (0.9.3) and Mozilla Thunderbird (0.7.3) available. They address 4 security bugs (linked from the Mozillazine article). Unlike Firefox 0.9.2, these can't be fixed with just a XPI upgrade, so you'll have to download a new binary and install."

90 of 375 comments (clear)

  1. Does this mean that . . . by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Due to Microsofts previous wealth of experience in fixing security problems, can it be true that their patching process is more effiecient than the Mozilla's?

    Why otherwise would it be required to download an entirely new browser to fix a few problems?

    1. Re:Does this mean that . . . by scifience · · Score: 4, Insightful

      The 4MB size of the complete Mozilla browser is smaller than many of Microsoft's IE updates have been.

      So, while you may have to re-download the whole browser, the actual file size is still smaller.

    2. Re:Does this mean that . . . by NeoThermic · · Score: 3, Insightful

      At 5MB for Firefox (on windows), its far smaller than the average IE 'patch', which normally are around 7 MB or so.

      Also consider that this *one* new install fixes what would require from microsoft as *four* patches. (and god know how much time between each)

      As a side note, I got 0.9.3 before /. announced it, and got a nice hefty 1500KB/s sustained over a 768bps connection. I would suggest those who want to find out about new releases before a lot of others sign up to mozilla [dash] announce [at] mozilla [dot] org

      NeoThermic

      --
      Use my link above, or to view my server, NeoThermic.com
    3. Re:Does this mean that . . . by irokitt · · Score: 5, Funny

      Trying to download a 4.0 MB file after it's linked to on the front page of Slashdot is never an easy thing, dude.

      --
      If my answers frighten you, stop asking scary questions.
    4. Re:Does this mean that . . . by Frizzle+Fry · · Score: 2, Insightful
      The 4MB size of the complete Mozilla browser is smaller than many of Microsoft's IE updates have been.

      This becomes less true, though, when Firefox requires you to download the 4 mb browser an infinite number of times. Which seems to be what it wants, since when I start 0.9.3 it tells me that a new critical update is available and that update turns out to be... 0.9.1. (And of course, if I install that and launch it, it will tell me that a new update is available...).
      --
      I'd rather be lucky than good.
    5. Re:Does this mean that . . . by red+floyd · · Score: 4, Funny

      got a nice hefty 1500KB/s sustained over a 768bps connection

      I'm impressed! How'd you get the 15,000x speedup?

      [
      for the math impaired:
      1500KB/s = 12000Kb/s
      12000Kb/s / 768bps = 15625.
      ]

      --
      The only reason we have the rights we have is that people just like us died to gain those rights. -- Cheerio Boy
    6. Re:Does this mean that . . . by NeoThermic · · Score: 5, Informative
      Really? His ass must be very correct:

      Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1

      I quote:
      Windows Me:
      32 MB of RAM minimum
      Full install size: 8.7 MB

      Windows 2000:
      32 MB of RAM minimum
      Full install size: 12.0 MB

      Windows 98 Second Edition:
      16 MB of RAM minimum
      Full install size: 12.4 MB

      Windows 98:
      16 MB of RAM minimum
      Full install size: 11.5 MB

      Windows NT 4.0 with the high encryption version of Service Pack 6a and higher:
      32 MB of RAM minimum
      Full install size: 12.7 MB

      Windows XP:
      32 MB of RAM minimum
      Full install size: 12.0 MB

      Thats just *one*, and its larger than the 5MB 0.9.3 release.

      NeoThermic
      --
      Use my link above, or to view my server, NeoThermic.com
    7. Re:Does this mean that . . . by NanoGator · · Score: 4, Insightful

      "The 4MB size of the complete Mozilla browser is smaller than many of Microsoft's IE updates have been."

      Maybe version updates. However, most IE fixes are a couple of hundred K. Right now, I have a cumilative update that's 2.8 meg that fixes a small handful of things. What you're suggesting would require a 4 megabyte download just to fix a typo in the credits.

      "So, while you may have to re-download the whole browser, the actual file size is still smaller."

      This would only be true under strange scheduling circumstances. On top of that, IE updates don't require an uninstall.

      I easily prefer Firefox to IE, but this statement is misleading in a couple of different directions. Microsoft definitely has Mozilla beat when it comes to the efficiency of updates like this, whether you focus on just the size of the file or if you expand that out to the total end user experience.

      --
      "Derp de derp."
    8. Re:Does this mean that . . . by NanoGator · · Score: 2, Informative

      "At 5MB for Firefox (on windows), its far smaller than the average IE 'patch', which normally are around 7 MB or so."

      Bullshit. There's a fix for an IE exploit. 365K. Would you want to reinstall your entire browser, just to fix that one little thing that you urgently want to get corrected?

      --
      "Derp de derp."
    9. Re:Does this mean that . . . by Lord+Kano · · Score: 2, Funny

      It's teh new compression.

      LK

      --
      "Hi. This is my friend, Jack Shit, and you don't know him." - Lord Kano
    10. Re:Does this mean that . . . by markov_chain · · Score: 2, Informative
      Even if he meant 768 Kbps it's not enough to get 1500KB/s! 1500KB/s is more than 10 megabits.

      Speaking of download speeds, this is something I saw on a university link ;)
      mybox:~> wget http://savannah.nongnu.org/download/avr-li
      bc/rel eased/RPMS/i386/avr
      -libc-1.0-1.i386.rpm
      --00:06 :49-- http://savannah.nongnu.org/download/avr-libc/relea sed/RPMS/i386/av
      r-libc-1.0-1.i386.rpm
      => `avr-libc-1.0-1.i386.rpm'
      Resolving savannah.nongnu.org... done.
      Connecting to savannah.nongnu.org[199.232.41.4]:80... connected.
      HTTP request sent, awaiting response... 200 OK
      Length: 409,351 [audio/x-pn-realaudio-plugin]

      100%[ 409,351
      10.01M/s ETA 00:00

      00:06:49 (10.01 MB/s) - `avr-libc-1.0-1.i386.rpm' saved [409351/409351]

      mybox:~>
      --
      Tsunami -- You can't bring a good wave down!
    11. Re:Does this mean that . . . by bigberk · · Score: 4, Informative
      Trying to download a 4.0 MB file after it's linked to on the front page of Slashdot is never an easy thing, dude.
      I'm mirroring a couple of the files. Please verify the md5sums yourself, though.
    12. Re:Does this mean that . . . by Teckla · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Maybe if you add together all the small IE updates, it totals more than 4mb at Windows Update.

      I can download and install the full Mozilla package faster than I can reboot my computer every time there's an Internet Explorer patch.

      That puts Mozilla ahead of IE, at least in my book. :)

    13. Re:Does this mean that . . . by line.at.infinity · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Still, I was shocked to be getting 80 KB/s... I think they should also consider making bittorrent and/or magnet links available sooner in order to trim unnecessary costs.

    14. Re:Does this mean that . . . by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I are not a programmer but I have a question. Wouldn't it be possible to use something like a "binary diff" program for updates? If not then why nott?

    15. Re:Does this mean that . . . by russint · · Score: 4, Funny

      Well, I guess bigger download speeds = bigger penis. I got it at 1120KB/S..

      --
      ^^
    16. Re:Does this mean that . . . by Captain+Splendid · · Score: 2, Informative
      Trying to download a 4.0 MB file after it's linked to on the front page of Slashdot is never an easy thing, dude.

      Piffle. Took me all of 30 seconds on cable, no mirrors used.

      --
      Linux, you magnificent bastard, I read the fucking manual!
    17. Re:Does this mean that . . . by petabyte · · Score: 2, Interesting

      No but if I still ran Windows I'd love to be able to uninstall that "Browser" you call IE ...

    18. Re:Does this mean that . . . by NeoThermic · · Score: 3, Informative

      Care to explain why you've linked a `Security Update for Windows 2000`?

      We are talking about IE here, not 2K.

      As for a IE patch that is large?

      IE6 SP1 - 8.7 MB to 12.7MB

      IE5 SP2 for ME - 6MB to 17MB

      Internet Explorer 6 SP1 Update: "HTTP 404 - File Not Found" Error Message When You Try to Visit Web Pages That Are Opened by JavaScript Functions in Frames or in Windows - 1.3MB

      October 2003, Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 - 2.1MB

      October 2003, Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer for Windows Server 2003 - 4.2MB

      October 2003, Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer 6 - 2.5MB

      Need me to continue? Or have I proved my point?

      NeoThermic

      --
      Use my link above, or to view my server, NeoThermic.com
    19. Re:Does this mean that . . . by NanoGator · · Score: 2, Interesting

      "We are talking about IE here, not 2K."

      Yes, you are correct, I pasted the wrong link. I'm sorry about that

      "Need me to continue? Or have I proved my point?"

      Yes, you have made your point. However, I have a counter point to make. We're comparing two different things I believe. I was talking about individual patches, you're talking about cummulative updates in most of your links here. Even the big single one you show is 1/4th of the size of Firebird. (Mozilla? I keep getting the names confused.) Most of the quick fixes I've installed were tiny, well under a meg. When installing anew, I can download the one big cummulative update. Yeah, big download, but an occasional one. My point? Updating Mozilla via uninstall/reinstall for a simple fix isn't so efficient, never mind the drastically simpler interface IE gives you.

      For the record, I'm not an IE zealot. I don't like it really. I'm an Opera zealot. That's a 4 meg install. I hate udpating it for similar reasons.

      --
      "Derp de derp."
  2. Grumble Grumble by (54)T-Dub · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'm getting tired of the whole uninstall, delete, re-install, get plugins, import bookmars, set settings, get skins (optional) routine. I wish they would hurry up and fix the installer so that I could simply update the browser and save all my stuff.

    --

    "I can not bring myself to believe that if knowledge presents danger, the solution is ignorance" - Isaac Asimov
    1. Re:Grumble Grumble by doofsmack · · Score: 4, Interesting

      I hod no problems just letting the installer overwrite my old Firefox directory. After it upgraded, all my extensions/bookmarks were still there.

    2. Re:Grumble Grumble by steeef · · Score: 5, Informative

      Installing over the old version often works, but sometimes not.

      If not, I usually save my plugins, delete the directory, install, then copy my plugins. My settings, bookmarks, and skins are all in my profile, and I haven't had to delete/recreate that in a while.

      It sounds like you're just being too careful.

    3. Re:Grumble Grumble by jsebrech · · Score: 2, Informative

      But there are multiple entries in the add/remove programs dialog on windows. Still, that's nothing a quick regedit job won't fix.

    4. Re:Grumble Grumble by WankersRevenge · · Score: 2, Informative

      I grabbed this from the Troubleshooting Mozilla guide.

      From Point 14:

      If Nautilus has been configured to use the Mozilla Gecko rendering engine, installing a mozilla.org binary on top of that may cause odd problems and conflicts. You should use the package of Mozilla supplied by your Unix or GNU/Linux distribution, as their version should work properly with their package of GNOME.

      I have personally experienced problems where Mozilla refused to render anything secure (https) because I had overwritten previous Mozilla installations. There could have been other problems but I never noticed. I'd reccommend you just do a clean install (which means, an uninstall, then reinstall). There is no reason to tapdance in minefields unless you're a windows user. like me. :)

      Good luck!

    5. Re:Grumble Grumble by Derek+Pomery · · Score: 2, Informative

      Even easier, symlinking /usr/mybrowser/plugins to /usr/mozilla/plugins and relinking on upgrade.
      Heck, if you upgrade it yourself, it is as easy as aliasing
      tar xvfz mozilla.tar.gz && cd mozilla && rm -rf plugins && ln -s /usr/foo/plugins .

      --
      -- perl -e'print pack"H*","6e656d6f406d38792e6f7267"' /. ate my old sig. Bastards.
    6. Re:Grumble Grumble by (54)T-Dub · · Score: 5, Insightful
      While I do understand why you would want a better installer, that isn't the central point of a [insert any piece of software here].
      And now we come to the basic problem with the attitude behind Open Source development. If we ever want to get open source out of the geek world we need to be able to get this idea out of our heads. A simple installation is important. Someone should not need years of experience to install an OS smoothly. And any computer novice should be able to upgrade their software with the click of the mouse (maybe 2). I'm not saying we need to dumb it down, just put in a little bit more attention to ease of use/install/upgrade.
      --

      "I can not bring myself to believe that if knowledge presents danger, the solution is ignorance" - Isaac Asimov
    7. Re:Grumble Grumble by DarkEdgeX · · Score: 2, Interesting

      If you install over an old version it's been my experience that the user-agent and other settings don't get updated for whatever reason.

      I'll confess, updating should be painless for Firefox/Mozilla, but it's not.

      --
      All I know about Bush is I had a good job when Clinton was president.
  3. RPM's ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Any idea where to get RPM's ?

  4. 0.9.? by asd-Strom · · Score: 2, Insightful

    If things keep going this way we end up with 0.9.55 or seomething. They should think about some patching systems..

  5. libpng by HungWeiLo · · Score: 4, Interesting

    According to the forum, a libpng vulnerability also just happens to crash IE.

    --
    There are a huge number of yeast infections in this county. Probably because we're downriver from the bread factory.
  6. Re:Firefox by gerf · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I suggest we tell the Mozilla Foundation guys to buy some OReilly security titles and read up, and come back with something that's actually not buggy

    Hi, welcome to Firefox beta .93

    Anyway, do you think that FF/Moz should take the Windows route and refuse to acknowledge vulnerabilities, and simply hope they pass by with no one else noticing? Please, think a little bit before posting a comment.

  7. Re:First Post! by _spider_ · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Sorry people, it was just an urge and I feel really stupid now, so I'm sorry!

    Anyway, I am really glad to see this. I work at an ISP, and deal with a lot of these ad/mal/viral-ware that gets onto IE despite our best efforts. So, we have been deploying Mozilla Fire(something) and Thunderbird programs - and PEOPLE LOVE IT!

    What makes them happy - makes me very happy!

    --
    '/dev/wit' is not available.
  8. Re:slashdot still refuses to render in firefox by Valtor · · Score: 5, Funny

    Well I don't know about you, but the 503 errors are gone for me.

    --
    "Sockets are the standard networking API, also useful for stopping your eyes from falling onto your cheeks" zeromq.org
  9. Re:Firefox by niteice · · Score: 2, Interesting

    However, those 3 Firefox holes were fixed faster than the 1 IE hole. Mozilla releases patches as soon as they've fixed the problem. Microsoft? They wait until Wednesday night. If a problem is fixed on a Thursday, and it's something already exploited, then most people affected (the clueless windows users) are basically screwed.

    --
    ROMANES EUNT DOMUS
  10. Mod parent up. by hot_Karls_bad_cavern · · Score: 4, Insightful

    i know it'll be an unpopular one about these parts, but: yeah, i'm with you bro. i should only have to click "Upgrade" on the Moz page to get the newest browser. Bitch and moan all you like, that's the way it should be: an icon in the corner: "upgrade now"...you can ignore if you like, you can build from source if you like, but me? Hell, just get me a new browser now....when i click. Yeah, yeah, save me all the "but, if it's just click and go and the security and the users and malware pages"...save it. Code against that, let me upgrade on the fly (restart okay...reboot not-okay) with a click. Tough to do? Hell, look about at the OS that this browser runs on (for the most part at this time): click and do for 'em eh? Not that much to ask. Give 'em a, 'no thanks, i'll do it the hard, trusted, but sure way' button. i'm not banging that in any way...hell, with some packages that's the only way i'll trust 'em. Moz is a safe bet: give us s 'click an' go to the newest version' button k? Yep.

    1. Re:Mod parent up. by (54)T-Dub · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Here here. And their "handy" little update notification in the lower right corner has never worked for me. It is constantly telling me that I have to upgrade to version 0.9.1 (which I'm running). Even now it still says the same freaking thing.

      Don't get me wrong, I love Mozilla and open source. But it's those little things that developers hate coding that get to me sometimes. Don't even get me started on a Linux install.

      --

      "I can not bring myself to believe that if knowledge presents danger, the solution is ignorance" - Isaac Asimov
    2. Re:Mod parent up. by sharkey · · Score: 2, Funny
      t is constantly telling me that I have to upgrade to version 0.9.1 (which I'm running).

      Mine does the same, I however, am running 0.9.2 :D

      --

      --
      "Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.
    3. Re:Mod parent up. by line.at.infinity · · Score: 4, Informative
      Try this, which says:
      Specifically...
      Browse to 'about:config'.
      In the filter box type 'update'.
      Double click 'update.app.updatesAvailable' and change the value from 'true' to false.
      Restart Browser.

      Worked for me.
  11. FireFox Release Notes by Lord+Crc · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I might be dafter than a regular brick, but I can't see that the FireFox Release Notes mentiones what is actually new in this release?
    Oh well... perhaps I'm just weird for wanting to know what's new in this sub-release.

  12. Re:Firefox by Justus · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Yeah, Firefox beta, right up there next to Mozilla 1.7.2. Just keep talking about how it's all 'unfinalized, buggy beta software' and I'm sure you'll convince a lot of people to stop using Internet Explorer.

    That being said, I'm glad to see the bugs being acknowledged and fixed, even if I don't personally agree with the way some of these bugs have been handled.

  13. Try again if 0.9.3 for Windows didn't work earlier by sakyamuni · · Score: 4, Informative

    The timestamps in the 0.9.3 release directory show that the Windows binary has been updated.

    Got the supposed 0.9.3 for Windows earlier today, which didn't work. Process appeared in task list, but no window came up. Also, any place the version number appeared, it was still listed as 0.9.2. With the caveat that I don't know how those folks do their releases, I'll say that with the proper automation, that oops-i-forgot-to-increase-the-version-number snafu should never happen.

  14. The actual vulnerabilities by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative
    Copy & Paste, Bugzilla hates us:

    http://bugzilla.mozilla.org/buglist.cgi?bug_id=251 381,249004,250906,253121

    • Importing false CA certificate leading to error -8182 (perm DoS), especially exploitable by email
    • null (%00) in filename fakes extension (ftp, file)
    • new libpng buffer overflow vulnerabilities
    • lock icon and certificates spoofable with onunload document.write


    IE catches shit for 2 out of the 4 bugs.

    libpng buffer overflow - a lot of bitching goes on around here with regards to "OH M$ EVEN HAD AN OVERFLOW IN BMP HANDLING IN IE!!!"

    null (%00) in filename fakes extension (ftp, file) - Variation of this got IE in trouble...
    1. Re:The actual vulnerabilities by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Major difference:
      - IE vulnerability: you hear about it on /., in other media, and a month or so later (if at all) there appears a fix.
      - Mozilla vulnerability: Mozilla foundation announces "we found a vulnerability and have a fix for it" where it is also the first time I hear about it.
      And in the rare case it is in the press before there is a bugfix, the fix will be there before the ink is dry.

      Wouter.

  15. MAC OSX Complains by OlivierB · · Score: 4, Insightful

    While this is not a showstopper, can somebody explain me why Firefox for mac ever since 0.7 has a problem with Expose feature? IE one can se a small window attached to the main window?
    Also, why is it we cannot search the bookmarks in the sidebar wihtout crashinf the whole application?

    Small annoyances but we are getting awfully close to 1.0 and still no sign of improvement.
    Safari is catching up in terms of speed and is looking ever more appealing!

    --
    Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity
    1. Re:MAC OSX Complains by bdaehlie · · Score: 2, Informative

      The way Mozilla does windowing, it creates an invisible root window. You can see that it exists without expose by trying to apple-tab through pages. So far the developers have not found a way to redo the windowing system so that this invisble window is no longer necessary. Its been there since the NS 4.x days I think. I bet if you use FF 0.7 on a box with expose you'll see it there too.

    2. Re:MAC OSX Complains by nxg125 · · Score: 4, Informative

      Well, Firefox 1.0 on OS X will be delayed a bit from the other platforms to clean up some issues such as this. The Expose thing you mentioned has been written up in Bugzilla (copy & paste the URL to see the bug.)

    3. Re:MAC OSX Complains by sbszine · · Score: 2, Informative

      My problem is that NONE of the themes other than the default work on OSX.

      That's due to this bug, which mangles any cross-platform theme using native scrollbars. (You'll have to cut and paste the link, as Bugzilla fears Slashdot).

      --

      Vino, gyno, and techno -Bruce Sterling

  16. Re:It does this already by (54)T-Dub · · Score: 3, Informative
    First, for these preview releases it is strongly recommended that you uninstall any previous version of Firefox first [emphasis not added]. Installing over the top of an older version may cause unpredictable problems. If you install over the top of an older version and want to file bugs, please do a clean install into a fresh directory before doing so.
    From here

    Last time I tried to install over an existing installation i seriously regretted it. Took me 3x as long to get everything worked out. So now I uninstall first.
    --

    "I can not bring myself to believe that if knowledge presents danger, the solution is ignorance" - Isaac Asimov
  17. Re:Try again if 0.9.3 for Windows didn't work earl by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 2, Informative

    I just installed 0.9.3, its listing inside the installer as 0.9.2 still.

    Your right about automation, even InstallShield can do it!

    --
    liqbase :: faster than paper
  18. The four vulnerabilities... by Joey7F · · Score: 4, Informative

    249004 Importing false CA certificate leading to error -8182 (pe...

    # False certificates aren't really an exploit

    250906 null (%00) in filename fakes extension (ftp, file)

    # fake extense aren't exploits

    251381 new libpng buffer overflow vulnerabilities

    # okay that is an exploit

    253121 lock icon and certificates spoofable with onunload docume...

    # that is not an exploit either

    I think they should be more like bugs. I think Mozilla is just trying to play it safe. Ironically by them "being up front" they may end up driving people away from the browser...

    --Joey

    1. Re:The four vulnerabilities... by black+mariah · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Are you fucking stupid? Every fucking one of those is EASILY an exploit, not of code but of the user.

      Fake certificates help in all sorts of scams. Spyware, eBay scams, whatever. "Oh, this is signed by Macromedia. It must be safe!"

      Fake extensions. We've all seen the results of simply adding a .jpg before a .exe, and how much shit does MS take for THAT one? Like it's their fault that people are fucking stupid enough to double click on 0wnyourcomputer.jpg.exe. Faked extensions are worse, because they don't even have the fucking .exe at the end.

      Lock icon spoofable. So you go to a site you THINK is secured, but it turns out it isn't. Happy funtime on your credit card!

      Not all exploits are code-based, not all exploits are related to software.

      --
      'Standards' in computing only impress those who are impressed by things like 'standards'.
    2. Re:The four vulnerabilities... by FryGuy1013 · · Score: 2

      #250906 null (%00) in filename fakes extension (ftp, file)
      # fake extense aren't exploits

      Except this would allow text files (on your hard drive) to be parsed as html files (and get the javascript associated with them). However, it's not earthshattering as it would be in IE because if it were IE, it would get extra "local zone" permissions. The only addition of permissions in moz is being able to link to other file: locations.

      # 251381 new libpng buffer overflow vulnerabilities
      # okay that is an exploit

      However, this exploit also happens in IE, so it's not a Mozilla specific bug. Score one for Mozilla for getting it out faster than M$.

      #253121 lock icon and certificates spoofable with onunload docume...
      # that is not an exploit either

      Yes it is. Check out the second test case in the attachments of the bug. Phishing would be very easy if this bug was not quashed as fast as it was.

      --
      bananas like monkeys.
  19. Re:And? by NeoThermic · · Score: 3, Insightful

    >>What the initial poster was talking about was a motherfucking update, NOT a service pack.

    Since when is a service pack not an update?

    Update:

    1. Information that updates something.

    2. The act or an instance of bringing something up to date.

    3. An updated version of something.

    Now. Please. Tell me how a Service pack doesn't count as an update?

    NeoThermic

    --
    Use my link above, or to view my server, NeoThermic.com
  20. Linux installer bug by FunkyRat · · Score: 4, Informative

    I downloaded the linux installer version (firefox-0.9.3-i686-linux-gtk2+xft-installer.tar.g z)ked from the Firefox page and itself seems to have a little bug:

    ** (firefox-installer-bin:3120): WARNING **: Invalid UTF8 string passed to pango_layout_set_text()

    It winds up with an incomplete installation. However, if you just download the gzipped tarball without the installer from here and untar it over your old firefox directory you should be just fine.

  21. payment for finding critical bugs by cipher+uk · · Score: 4, Interesting

    i wonder if the people who uncovered these bugs qualified for the $500 payment or if it contributed to them being found.

    1. Re:payment for finding critical bugs by mindfucker · · Score: 2, Interesting

      They should give him the reward anyway.

      The guy who found and reported the libpng vulnerability is an author/maintainer of libpng. Maintaining core libraries like libpng is a mostly thankless job that all the big commercial distros profit off of while the maintainer (usually) doesn't make shit.

  22. x86_64 anyone? by bani · · Score: 2

    looks like the mozilla binary builds for x86_64 havent been updated yet.

  23. That's not the problem. by Trillan · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I use an invisible root window in my application as well. Many applictions use invisible windows, and they do not foul Exposé at all. Exposé will not show an invisible window, nor will it show an offscreen window (which is frustrating to me, as I have several tools that try to remember where windows were last displayed even on smaller monitors).

    I really do not know what Mozilla is doing, but it is not that simple.

  24. one thing to note by dwgranth · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Yeah, i see a lot of people on this list complaining about Mozilla having so many patches... dang, at least they put them out there... also im sure the opensource nature of mozilla/firefox lets many eyes see the bugs... while in IE there could be millions of little goodies that could be exploited and we would never know. I'm just impressed that the coding team has fixed the bugs so quickly. Yes.. they do need to build in a better patching mechanism.. but every project has a few growing pains.

  25. Re:Except nobody's making these excuses by xeon4life · · Score: 3, Interesting

    If it really is necessary to point out to you, then I'm getting sick of comments like:
    "At 5MB for Firefox (on windows), its far smaller than the average IE 'patch', which normally are around 7 MB or so."
    "IE catches shit for 2 out of the 4 bugs." ...and...
    "Anyway, do you think that FF/Moz should take the Windows route and refuse to acknowledge vulnerabilities, and simply hope they pass by with no one else noticing? Please, think a little bit before posting a comment."

    Thank you,
    Xeon

    --
    Real programmers can write assembly code in any language. -- Larry Wall
  26. Gentoo by mroch · · Score: 4, Funny
    "...so you'll have to download a new binary and install."

    Not on Gentoo, you insensitive clod!

  27. Automatically checking for updates by asmellysock · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Does the "Periodically check for updates" feature work in Firefox? It has never in the past informed me of an update, and even now when I manually check by selecting "Check Now" it currently tells me no updates are available.

  28. yeah, and unattended installs too by illogic · · Score: 2, Interesting
    While we're on the topic of bashing the Mozilla installers, let me complain that unattended/silent installations of Firefox/Tbird are completely broken. The installer's config file promises to allow silent installs, but in practice it pays no attention to that option. Silent installations are necessary for deployment to lots of systems with proper settings and without user intervention.

    The only ways I can see to accomplish a silent install are either:
    • rewrite the installer so it actually does work (pain in the ass)
    • or use the .zip version and completely re-implement the install process in a batch script (even more annoying)
    This is another one of those "enterprise" necessities that the developers seem not to have figured out.
  29. Re:Why does Thunderbird use IE??? by YetAnotherDave · · Score: 2, Funny

    Well, you should browse to bugzilla.microsoft.com and enter a bug report against XP.

    If you tell them about the problem they'll hurry to solve it, I'm sure...

  30. Four and more by tepples · · Score: 4, Informative

    The new Mozilla Firefox release fixes four security problems and all the other bugs that have been fixed in the aviary branch. Microsoft, on the other hand, hasn't published fixes to IE's layout engine since 2001.

    1. Re:Four and more by citog · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Maybe out on a limb here, but I prefer downloading a new version where security fixes are required. Security fixes need to be right, and right first time. Patching doesn't alway guarantee that.

  31. Easiest of upgrades by whovian · · Score: 3, Interesting

    That was what an update should be!

    Upgraded from 0.9.1 to 0.9.3. Didn't have to fiddle with turning off extentions or re-downloading them and reconfiguring them this time. Continues to use the same .mozilla directory. The only nit to pick was that search plugins aren't stored in userspace, but copying them over is trivial.

    --
    To-do List: Receive telemarketing call during a tornado warning. Check.
  32. Where are the Changelogs? by Codeala · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Where are the Changelog? From the website, you only know there is a new version for these three apps, but there is not description of what has been changed since the last version?

    I remember that for every release there used to be a link to the Changelog with details on all the new changes since the last minor update (eg v1.6.1 to v1.6.2). Is the new site/design just too "user friendly"?

    (After some browsing I did find a link to an *external* website with change details, but can't find it again now... @_@)

    --

    Codeala - Just another mindless drone
    1. Re:Where are the Changelogs? by VGPowerlord · · Score: 2, Informative

      The Mozilla 1.7.2 Release Page has a link to the bugs it fixes.

      --
      GLaDOS for President 2016! "Well here we are again. It's always such a pleasure." -- GLaDOS, 2011
  33. Reality check, please. by Lexomatic · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Firefox is still pre-version 1.0 at the moment, so people should be expecting these sort of updates.

    Prior to 0.9, Firefox was only being updated ever few weeks, with each release holding many fixes since the last release. I think the increase in releases has mainly been due to the fact that in the last month or so the user base of Firefox has gone up dramatically.

    I am sure this has put a lot more stress on the Firefox dev team because now people are starting to rely on their browser to be as good as IE and with whole organisations now looking at using Firefox over IE, the pressure must really be on to make sure it lives up to expectations.

    Once Firefox hits version 1.0, people will get real shitty if it has bugs and security flaws, so the more they fix during 0.9.+ the better. Until then, I am happy to keep downloading it, daily if needed.

  34. OT: Re:RPM is RealAudio? by threephaseboy · · Score: 2, Informative

    On a lot of stock systems the offending line in mime.types is:
    audio/x-pn-realaudio-plugin rpm
    and should be:
    application/x-rpm rpm
    I have not come across any realmedia files with the .rpm extension in the wild.

    --
    .
  35. Get the news first... by MagicFab · · Score: 3, Informative

    One way to keep updated about Mozilla releases and developments in many different areas is by subscribing to one of the developer mailing lists:
    http://www.mozilla.org/community/developer-forums. html

    MozillaZine.org also does a good job of summarizing the development, but it's almost always 2-3 days late.

    For the true cutting-edge lizard in you, there's always the feedhouse:
    http://feedhouse.mozillazine.org/

    And of course it has RSS feeds.

    For those of you wanting to know when specific bugs have been fixed, I find the "edge" websites to be most simple to read (although not thorough):

    The Rumbling Edge (for Thunderbird):
    http://weblogs.mozillazine.org/rumblingedge/

    The Burning Edge:
    http://www.squarefree.com/burningedge/

    Saddly, there is no information about the releases almost a day after they have been out on http://mozillaeurope.org/en/ ... I wrote a note this morning but I imagine they are submerged.

    Enjoy!

    --
    Notepad specialist & FAT administrator, group training available
  36. Problem with Proxy by v1x · · Score: 2, Interesting

    This version broke something related to the proxy configuration. I can no longer authenticate myself at any website using saved passwords if I use my university proxy server. :(

  37. Letting People Know by MournsForHumans · · Score: 5, Interesting

    What I find odd is that despite this release being focused on patching security vulnerabilities there's no noticable mention on the web site of the importance of this update. I leave my home page set to the FireFox page in hopes that there will be a clear message saying if there's a need to upgrade, but the page itself only says 0.9 -- and I'm fairly confident that the average user isn't going to figure out the difference from the front page (which now says 0.9.3, but how many users are aware of what version they're using?) It wasn't until I read slashdot that I was made aware of the release of this security update, and who knows if something could have happened since then?

    While I don't expect a windowsupdate.com for Mozilla, being that a main criticism of users is their failure to keep software updated why don't the developers make it more clear that an update is even present?

  38. Mozilla 1.7.2 and Slackware 10 by FatTux · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Just tried Moz 1.7.2 and the anti-aliased fonts were gone (maybe build options?). Furthermore, I've faced some segfaults when browsing Slashdot. Reverted to Slack 10's original Moz 1.7.

    My 2 cents.

    1. Re:Mozilla 1.7.2 and Slackware 10 by MikeCapone · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Just wait until Patrick adds a Slack package of 1.7.2 to Slackware-current and get it off a mirror.

  39. Re:UI Spoof Not Fixed by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I noticed 0.9.3 doesn't fix the UI Spoof using XUL mentioned a few days ago... Could this mean what I think it means....

    Yes.... FireFox is your father.

  40. Version MisMatch Alert. by technix4beos · · Score: 2, Informative

    The windows version listed for download at the FireFox product page is not the same as the windows version listed on the main download page.

    Just a heads-up to everyone rushing to download without checking. The mozilla.org web guys might want to fix that too.

    Cheers.

    --
    user@host$ diff /dev/urandom /dev/uspto
  41. Unfortunately this still doesn't fix the render by Tim_F · · Score: 3, Informative

    problems that Firefox .9.x has had with slashdot. It seems that the side menu bars randomly overlap the main page content. It really looks ugly.

    1. Re:Unfortunately this still doesn't fix the render by The+One+KEA · · Score: 2, Informative

      It's not supposed to. The changes needed to fix that are too intrusive to be inserted into the Aviary branch.

      If you want fixed Slashdot, go and get a trunk nightly build.

      --
      SCREW THE ADS! http://adblock.mozdev.org/ Proud user of teh Fox of Fire - Registered Linux User #289618
  42. Its not that hard by gad_zuki! · · Score: 3, Informative

    Granted, I'd like to see a patcher/updater that works, but this is still sub 1.0 software.

    Rename current firefox directory.

    Install firefox.

    Copy plugins folder to new install.

    Load firefox.

    That's it. Your bookmarks and settings are in your profile, NOT in the install directory.

    Some plug-ins will need to be reinstalled.

  43. Re:(Off-Topic) Default Text Zoom Feature? by lombre · · Score: 2, Informative
    change the default font size

    Edit -> Preferences
    + Appearance
    + Fonts
  44. Auto Update by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The main executable for firefox is ~6MB... It would seem to me that this is not a very efficient method for updating the program. Perhaps they'll design the next version with modules that can be updated more efficiently by smaller downloads?

    Anyone know why the version information for the file for 0.9.3 lists 0.9.0.0? Right click firefox.exe and then properties then version tab.

    IE has an executable of a few KB (WinXP).

    1. Re:Auto Update by chx1975 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      a few KB? what about mshtml.dll, a 2+ Mbyte DLL... iexplore.exe is small, 'cos it's not much more than a dummy dll loader.

  45. Re:For $500... by MikeCapone · · Score: 3, Funny

    A few random security flaws found. Imagine if it was worth thousands of dollars to you to find and exploit these flaws so you searched and found them months ago as part of your full-time work...

    I don't have to imagine it; we can see how well it works with microsoft products.

    They have paid programmers so there is no exploits and flaws in their software, right?

  46. Hmmmm by AdmV0rl0n · · Score: 4, Interesting

    During the recent Ject issue, I looked into trying to rip out IE. I have like 120 machines to look after, I don't have the money to active directory, and I have certain limits. I'll use psexec but even so, its a long tedius job maintaining 120 machines.

    Now, getting back to IE, yes, I did look at ripping it out. Not so easy on XP Pro as any user who signs in gets linked to the program in default. I could banjax the progam directory, and stop it being used that way, but if I do that, I believe I can still call windowsupdate.com via an explorer window. I presume however, that anyone using the same method uses the same cuplable browsing that impairs IE. Thus I'm not really solving the problem, just fending it off until the users get smart.

    In terms of Mozilla and Firefox, sadly I have to say the security failure regarding :shell: made me rather glad I had'nt committed a massive workload in the name of switching to a new bugwridden, secuirty glitched browser.

    Today, I'm told if I had rolled Mozilla, someone's just committed me to a whole sale re-roll out just because they can't patch, they have to fix it in a new install.

    I've said it before, I'll say it again, doing this to me just puts me right off even contemplating it. Next week, watch out, the next Mozilla issue will rear its ugly head.

    I sadly have to put aside the OSS/MS stuff, because whatever I put out there has to work, and its not about Ideaology, I do not care about Ideaology. Mozilla is a fine effort, but the security side leaves much to be desired. One is hard pushed to claim that its a quantum leap in browser security.

    AdmV

    --
    We`re all equal .. Just some of us are less equal than others.
  47. Re:Could this work with Firebird? by dolmen.fr · · Score: 2, Informative

    Settings are stored in your profile. Not in the program directory.
    AFAIK, uninstall doesn't remove your profile.

    However extensions and plugins (Flash, Acrobat...) are at risk if you accept to remove the Firefox directory at uninstall end.

  48. Sessionsaver + Qute by ahaning · · Score: 2, Informative

    I previously had Mozilla Firebird 0.7 installed on Windows 2000. I've tried to migrate to Firefox befoew, but certain things (like Sessionsaver sessions and the theme) didn't work/look proper[ly].

    For those that don't know, Sessionsaver can save tab /window sessions so that they come back up after closing and re-opening the program. It's really nice when you have 15 tabs that you have the way you like them and accidently close the window. Qute is the Firebird theme and the most popular on the themes site.

    Previously, all of my settings for Firebird were kept in C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\Application Data\Mozilla\Phoenix\ and there was a file in \Mozilla\ called pluginreg.dat.

    I have always downloaded the .zip files and put them where I want them, so if you install using an installer, YMMV.

    Here's how I got my settings back with the Firebird theme and all of my tabs back open. There's no real haX0ring involved here, but in the case that any one wants to do this, this is what worked for me. (Gripes to follow.)

    Download Firefix 0.9.3
    I downloaded and unpacked the Firefox zip file for Windows (ftp://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/rel eases/0.9.3/Firefox-win32-0.9.3.zip).

    Load Browser, Migrate Settings
    Then, I loaded the browser and it prompted me as to whether or not I wanted my old settings migrated. I did, and selected the default options. The browser loaded and my homepage and network settings were there (YES!).

    Download and Install Qute
    Now, I liked the way Firebird looked and the way my tabs were saved by the Sessionsaver 0.2d extension. So, I went to the Themes manager and clicked Get More Themes. I downloaded and installed Qute. Then, in the Themes manager, I selected the Qute theme and clicked the Use Theme button. It didn't show up in my browser window right away, but I figured "maybe it needs me to shutdown and restart." So, I wasn't too worried.

    Download and Install Sessionsaver 0.2d
    Then, I googled for "sessionsaver", and got lucky. I installed the Sessionsaver extension. In the Extensions manager, it asked me if it wanted me to install it to my user preferences folder. It suggested that this way, it wouldn't have to be reinstalled when I upgrade the browser. I know that's not true, but I said yes, anyway. I loaded up an extra tab and a window to see if it would load them back up the next time.

    Restart Firefox
    Much to my surprise (and excitement), Firefox didn't open back up with my test windows and tabs, but my old Firebird session!

    I went through this process again (making sure to remove my \Mozilla\Firefox folder and any added files and the program folder made when I unpacked the zip file), just to make sure I wasn't crazy.

    Now, for the things that annoy me:

    1) The Qute theme isn't EXACTLY like it was in Firebird. The buttos are shinier or something. I may write to the designer or search around for an older version if I can, but I'm going to live with it for now.

    2) The Extentions, Themes, and Downloads windows suck up tons of CPU time when I move my mouse cursor between the panes and in and out of the windows. WTF?

    3) The Download manager. I personally preferred the old progress windows from Firebird. I know there's an extension to allow me to use external programs for downloads, but I really did like those little windows. At least give me the choice of using the manager or the windows. The one function of this that I do like is t

    --
    Withdrawal before climax is very ineffective and those who try this are usually called "parents."