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Apple Releases Mac OS X Patches

phoric writes "According to eWeek, Apple has released security patches to fix 16 'highly critical' holes, one-third of which deal with the open-source Apache web server. Several of the fixes address exploits such as the bypassing of security restrictions, spoofing, and potential DoS attacks."

15 of 84 comments (clear)

  1. Now, before anyone says it... by the+pickle · · Score: 4, Informative

    ...how many of these holes had exploits in the wild?

    0 / 16.

    Every last one of them was -- and still is -- theoretical.

    Do what you have to do in the name of "balanced reporting," though, eWeek.

    p

    1. Re:Now, before anyone says it... by justMichael · · Score: 4, Informative
      And that's OS X's fault how, exactly?

      Looks more like a vulnerability in Slashcode to me...
      Yeah, that was my first thought, then I tried it on my PowerBook which I use for development. It works on any file found under docroot, including .htaccess and it doesn't have to be the OS X install of Apache, I build my own and it works.

      I'll provide the link that the very helpful AC posted below in case it doesn't get modded up as I think people should see it.

      More info here.
    2. Re:Now, before anyone says it... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

      Disagree... the Apache bugs are not hypothetical. Computerworld has a better writeup here: http://www.computerworld.com/securitytopics/securi ty/story/0,10801,98038,00.html

  2. well, it works on at least one machine by rritterson · · Score: 3, Informative

    FWIW, it worked great on my G5. The rest of the guys in the DSLR MUG haven't had any problem either()

    I, of course, cannot vouch for your sucess or failure, but no problems yet!

    --
    -Ryan
    AUWYHSTOT (Acronyms are Useless When You Have to Spell Them Out Too)
  3. Knowledge Base Article by kuwan · · Score: 4, Informative

    For more info on the update, here's the description from Software Update (click on the link at the bottom for the full Knowledge Base Article)

    Security Update 2004-12-02 delivers a number of security enhancements and is recommended for all Macintosh users. This update includes the following components:

    Apache
    AppKit
    HIToolbox
    Kerberos
    Postfix
    PS Normalizer
    Safari
    Terminal

    For detailed information on this Update, please visit this website: http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n61798

  4. Clickable link by kuwan · · Score: 4, Informative

    http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n61798

    (Doh! I hit while correcting spelling in the subject.)

  5. Re:I don't see it... by sokoban · · Score: 2, Informative

    Probably. Everyone else I've talked to says that it has shown up just fine. I think the 10.2.8 client patch came up a little late, but if you still don't see it try repairing permissions and the usual stuff. If worse comes to worst, download the patch with the standalone installer. It will be at: http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/

    BTW, the Mac OS X Downloads slashbox usually will show you any stand alone update and is really cool regardless.

    --
    09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0 is the magic number.
  6. Re:Any exploits "in the wild"? by 99BottlesOfBeerInMyF · · Score: 4, Informative

    Is anyone aware of any malware that takes advantage of the exploits?

    There was a demo exploit of the Safari pop-up redirection. Anyone could have grabbed that and set up an exploit site. That one was pretty weak though. It might have been good for phishing clueless people.

  7. For successful updates... by madsenj37 · · Score: 4, Informative

    Always remember to repair permissions first via Disk Utility. And the hard drive, if you have time.

    --
    Choosing the lesser of two evils is a choice for evil.
  8. From the Secunia mailing list: by SillyWilly · · Score: 3, Informative

    Apple has issued a security update for Mac OS X, which fixes various vulnerabilities.

    1) A vulnerability in the Apache "mod_digest_apple" authentication can be exploited by malicious people to conduct replay attacks.

    2) Multiple vulnerabilities in Apache and mod_ssl can be exploited to inject potentially malicious characters into error logfiles, bypass certain security restrictions, gain escalated privileges, gain unauthorised access to other web sites, cause a DoS (Denial of Service), and potentially compromise a vulnerable system.

    For more information:
    SA8146
    SA10789
    SA11170
    SA11534
    S A11841
    SA12787
    SA12898

    3) A security issue in Apache results in access to ".DS_Store" files
    and files starting with ".ht" not being fully blocked. The problem is that the Apache configuration blocks access in a case sensitive way, but the Apple HFS+ filesystem performs file access in a case insensitive way.

    4) A security issue in Apache makes it possible to bypass the normal Apache file handlers and retrieve file data and resource fork content via HTTP. The problem is that the Apple HFS+ filesystem permits files to have multiple data streams.

    5) Multiple vulnerabilities in Apache2 can be exploited by malicious people to cause a DoS or potentially compromise a system, or by malicious, local users to gain escalated privileges.

    For more information:
    SA12434
    SA12540

    6) A security issue in Appkit causes secure text fields to not enable secure input correctly in some circumstances. This allows other applications in the same window session to read the entered characters.

    7) Multiple vulnerabilities in Appkit can potentially be exploited by malicious people to compromise a user's system or cause a DoS (Denial of Service).

    For more information:
    SA12818

    8) A vulnerability in Cyrus IMAP when using Kerberos authentication can be exploited by malicious, authenticated users to access other mailboxes on the system.

    9) A security issue in HIToolbox can be exploited by malicious users to quit applications in kiosk mode via a certain key combination.

    10) Multiple vulnerabilities have been reported in Kerberos, where the most serious potentially can be exploited by malicious people to compromise a vulnerable system.

    For more information:
    SA12408

    11) A vulnerability in Postfix when using CRAM-MD5 can be exploited by malicious users to send mails without being properly authenticated. The problem is that the credentials used to successfully authenticate a user can be re-used for a small time period, which can be exploited via replay attacks.

    12) A vulnerability in PSNormalizer can potentially be exploited by malicious people to compromise a user's system. The vulnerability is caused due to a boundary error when converting PostScript to PDF.

    13) A vulnerability in QuickTime Streaming Server can be exploited by malicious people to cause a DoS via a specially crafted DESCRIBE request.

    14) A weakness in Safari can be exploited by malicious people to trick users into visiting a malicious web site by obfuscating URLs.

    For more information:
    SA13047

    15) A vulnerability in Safari can be exploited by malicious web sites to spoof dialog boxes.

    For more information:
    SA12892

    16) A weakness in Terminal may result in the "Secure Keyboard Entry" menu setting erroneously looking like it is active when it's not.

    --
    Online & Feelin' Fine
  9. MAJORS PROBLEM with update! Read this! by nordicfrost · · Score: 4, Informative

    OK. This update b0rked my PowerBook up really well. Afteer an update and Repair Permissions (Always a good idea), I restarted the PB. After a seemingly normal reboot, it halted at Logon Window staring... And did not go any further.

    On Apple Discussions, arguably the best official tech solution pages from any major computer company, a possible solution has been posted.

    If the problems appear, reboot into single-user mode. Go to the /etc directory (type cd /etc and hit enter for those who seldom wander into Terminal)

    There you will find a screwed up file, 'ttys' and a backup of the same file called 'ttys.applesaved'. Overwrite the borken file by typing 'sudp cp /etc/ttys.applesaved /etc/ttys' and hit enter. Type in your admin password, hit enter. Reboot the machine, rejoice as you now get in.

    I was less fortunate, as the machine was the only ne at home so I never ot to read the advice. I did archive and reinstall, it worked surprisingly well. I have done this under Windows, and lost all settings ang programs. When the 10.3 system was in, even my desktop icons were right where I left them. I did another updated and it worked swell!

    1. Re:MAJORS PROBLEM with update! Read this! by ravenspear · · Score: 2, Informative

      sudp cp /etc/ttys.applesaved /etc/ttys

      No need to use sudo in single user mode. You are already root.

  10. For MacOS X users who customise their httpd.conf by HSpirit · · Score: 5, Informative

    Two of the vulnerabilities reported attempt to modify the

    /etc/httpd/httpd.conf
    configuration file used by Apache 1.3.

    Those MacOS X users (like me) who manually reconfigure their Apache configuration should note that the update (sensibly) will not modify a customised httpd.conf. If you fit into this category you should read the advice posted by Apple on how to manually update your httpd.conf to ensure your Apache is not serving up content which should not be available.

  11. Re:For MacOS X users who customise their httpd.con by HSpirit · · Score: 2, Informative

    Oops... my mistake: Two of the vulnerabilities reported attempt to modify the...

    What I meant to say was: The fixes for two of the vulnerabilities reported attempt to modify the...

    My apologies...

  12. Re:For MacOS X users who customise their httpd.con by geoffspear · · Score: 2, Informative
    Actually, as stated in the advice you linked to, "under some circumstances" it won't modify it. My http.conf is manually customized, and Software Update did actually patch it just fine (miraculously, it did so without breaking any of the customizations I did, like earlier software updates have sometimes done).

    I'm not sure what the circumstances are that prevent modification. I assume it would have something to do with whether or not you'd manually modified the specific section that contained the vulnerability.

    --
    Don't blame me; I'm never given mod points.