The Mac Observer

SANS Institute Sees ‘Rapid Growth’ in OS X Vulnerabilities

April 30th, 2006 at 3:00 PM - News by Brad Cook

The SANS Institute on Monday updated its Top 20 list of Internet vulnerabilities, noting "rapid growth in critical vulnerabilities in Mac OS X, including a zero-day vulnerability." The security firm acknowledged that the operating system "still remains safer than Windows, but its reputation for offering a bullet-proof alternative is in tatters."

SANS defines a zero-day vulnerability as one that "causes damage to users even before the vendor makes a patch available." In the case of Mac OS X, Safari was susceptible to a flaw that automatically downloaded and executed a malicious file simply by browsing to a specific Web site. Apple fixed it, "but almost immediately had to issue a second patch to stop another attack involving email attachments," according to the SANS report.

SANS noted: "As attackers are increasingly turning their attention to the platform, OS/X vulnerabilities are being discovered at a rapid pace, which could erode this safety in the future."

Apple wasnit alone in getting dinged for critical vulnerabilities, however. SANS also pointed to "continuing discovery of multiple zero-day vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer," as well as "rapid growth in critical Firefox and Mozilla vulnerabilities." File-based attacks, especially those involving media and image files as well as Microsoft Excel documents, continue to surge too.

On the positive side, SANS also saw "substantial decline in the number of critical vulnerabilities in Windows Services," although trend turned into a wash for Microsoft because of the other problems documented by the firm.

Login. Need an account? Register here.



Auto-login on future visits

Show my name in the online users list

Forgot your password?


Commenting is not available in this section entry.
 

Recent Headlines - Updated March 20th

Fri, 5:55 PM
Games - Namco Releases Match-Three Game Tinseltown Dreams to the App Store
5:16 PM
News - iPad Launch Day Deadline for Developers: March 27
5:11 PM
News - Steve Jobs Helps Promote Organ Donor Legislation
4:06 PM
iPad - VIVmag Shows Off Interactive iPad Version in the Works
3:07 PM
App Store - Microsoft Yanks Bing App From Foreign App Stores
2:05 PM
iObserver - Analysts Downgrade Troubled Palm Amid Severe Revenue Drop
1:35 PM
In-Depth Review - PhoneSuite MiLi Packs a Powerful Punch
1:11 PM
News - YouTube to Viacom: Sue Yourself
11:34 AM
Product News - PocketMac for BlackBerry 5 Improves Snow Leopard Support
10:59 AM
News - Apple iGroups Patent Hints at Social Networking Plans
10:20 AM
Hot Forum Topic - Reader Discussion: Who Will Buy Palm?
9:50 AM
News - Bharti Airtel Lands India iPhone 3GS Deal
 

The Mac Observer Reader Specials

Apple Stock Quote

  • AAPL: $222.2499. Change: -2.4001.
  • (Prices delayed up to 20 minutes.)
  • Discuss in our Apple Finance Board

Hot Topics

TMO Express

Join the TMO Express Daily Newsletter to get the latest Mac headlines in your e-mail every weekday. Find out more!

Top Deals From DealBrothers.com

Recent Features

Support The Mac Observer

We noticed you may be running AdBlock on your computer. It takes real money to run this site and to deliver the news, tips, and opinions you love to read.

If you wish to block the ads that pay for the creation of our content, we ask that you instead support TMO Directly, either with a $5 monthly recurring contribution, or a one-time donation of any amount of your choice. Thanks!

Subscribe with Paypal Donate with Paypal