Angered by Apple delay, hacker posts Mac Java attack

2 comments | 1I like it!
May 20, 2009, 04:21 PM —  IDG News Service — 

In an effort to draw attention to an long-standing security problem in Apple's Mac OS X operating system, a security researcher has posted attack code that exploits the flaw.

The software, which could be used by hackers to run an unauthorized system on a Mac, was posted Tuesday by Landon Fuller, a security researcher in San Francisco. It exploits a nasty bug in the Java software that ships with Mac OS X. This bug was fixed by Java's creator, Sun Microsystems, on Dec. 3, but Apple has still not included the fix in its software updates.

"Unfortunately, it seems that many Mac OS X security issues are ignored if the severity of the issue is not adequately demonstrated," Fuller wrote in a blog posting describing the issue. "Due to the fact that an exploit for this issue is available in the wild, and the vulnerability has been public knowledge for six months, I have decided to release my own proof of concept."

Fuller's proof of concept code runs Mac's Say software to make the computer say "I'm executing an innocuous user process", but it could be adapted by criminals to run malicious programs on the computer.

Security vendor SecureMac advises Mac users to disable Java in their Web browser until Apple fixes the issue. "This vulnerability could be exploited to perform 'drive-by-downloads' commonly used as a means to infect computers with spyware, or any arbitrary command with the permissions of the executing user," the company said in a note on its Web site. "All a user has to do is visit a web page hosting a malicious Java applet to be exploited."

Apple would not say when it plans to patch the bug, but a company spokeswoman said Wednesday that Apple is "aware of the issue and we are working on a fix." The company released security updates for its Mac OS software just last week.

IDG News Service

Sign up for ITworld's Daily newsletter
Follow ITworld on Twitter @IT_world

I like it!
Close

On Twitter now

java

Powered by Twitter
You are logged in | Sign out
Sign in and post to Twitter

What are you thinking?

Cancel Tweet sent

On Twitter now

Comments

My PC is running like new.

I was having trouble with my new computer running slow after I had only had it for a few months. I was upset thinking it was something wrong with my computer until I realized that I needed a good scan to clean out those bugs and viruses that was the real problem. When I started using Search-and-destroy Antispyware it took care of this problem and now my PC is running like new again. The antispyware solution from Search-and-destroy, which you can find at http://www.Search-and-destroy.com, has made a big difference for me and I’m sure you’ll be happy with it too.
| reply

ugg boots

UGG Boots is one of the most popular boots in the fashion realm, and it also the must-have item in the cold winter to keep your foot warm, have a pair of sheepskin UGG Boots as the gift also the great point, so, why you still hesitate, follow me!
| reply
peer-to-peer

Brian Proffitt
Microsoft/Novell: Breaking Down the Coupon Numbers

Esther Schindler
Drupal's Dries Buytaert on Building the Next Drupal

Tom Henderson
Top Ten General Operating Systems Rants

pasmith
PS3 motion controller delayed; goes up against Project Natal

sjvn
Neolithic Windows security hole alive and well in Windows 7

claird
Perl source code comparison makes for good reading

mikelgan
Cell phones don't create stress or interrupt much

Sandra Henry-Stocker
How to: The Unix Interview

 

Where Google Chrome security fails: the password
I heard mention that the Chrome OS will have some sort of encryption available a la bitlocker. If it's possible to encrypt personal data using another password or key, then it may have potential for very secure data.... And Ubuntu has an 'encrypt home directory' option, perhaps google should follow suit.
- Dann

Join the conversation here

The Daily Tip

The Daily TipQuick, practical advice for IT pros. Made fresh daily.

Hot tips:

Want to cash in on your IT savvy? Send your tip to tips@itworld.com. If we post it, we'll send you a $25 Amazon e-gift card.

Newsletters

Subscribe to ITWORLD TODAY and receive the latest IT news and analysis.

I would like to receive offers via email from ITworld partners.
By clicking submit you agree to the terms and conditions outlined in ITworld's privacy policy.
Marketplace