Funky Apple Updates after 2007-0002 (Fixed?)

Published: 2007-02-16
Last Updated: 2007-02-18 19:44:42 UTC
by Joel Esler (Version: 4)
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/** I am an Apple fanboy, so I am not picking on Apple **/

That being said, it seems we have found a buggy little feature of OSX after installing Security Update 2007-0002.

It asks us to reinstall Security Update 2007-0001 and iTunes/Quicktime update of 7.0.2.

Now, we have been testing this on many OSX Machines, it appears to be isolated to:

  • PPC Arch Only (We haven't been able to reproduce on Intel based machines)
  • 10.4.8 (We can't reproduce on 10.3, only 10.4) and
  • Those machines that are patched to 2007-0001 level

We are actually testing one machine right now that is a fresh build from CD, upgraded a month ago to 10.4.8, and that machine is having many problems even getting to the point where it is able to download Security Update 2007-0001, let alone version 0002.
  • It had problems with Installing the latest Java update but succeeded after a second try
  • It cannot complete the download of iTunes+Quicktime 7.0.2 (download freaks out halfway)
  • It does download Security Update 2007-0001, but fails to install it 
  • It never was allowed to download Security Update 2007-0002 so far
The /var/log/install.log file looks like this:
/System/Library/CoreServices/Software Update.app/Contents/MacOS/Software Update: Distribution: iTunes + QuickTime
/System/Library/CoreServices/Software Update.app/Contents/MacOS/Software Update: Distribution: Security Update 2007-001
/System/Library/CoreServices/Software Update.app/Contents/MacOS/Software Update: JavaScript error "Value undefined (result of expression system.ASUEnumerateProducts) is not object." while running "__choice_su_visible"
/System/Library/CoreServices/Software Update.app/Contents/MacOS/Software Update: __choice_su_visible returned error: Value undefined (result of expression system.ASUEnumerateProducts) is not object./System/Library/CoreServices/Software Update.app/Contents/MacOS/Software Update: JavaScript error "Value undefined (result of expression system.RegistryQueryStringValue) is not object." while running "__choice_su_visible"/System/Library/CoreServices/Software Update.app/Contents/MacOS/Software Update: __choice_su_visible returned error: Value undefined (result of expression system.RegistryQueryStringValue) is not object.admin auth received to install

<--endlogfile-->

As of this time we have filed a bug with Apple, if you have any comments, can reproduce the error, can't reproduce the error (CHECK YOUR VERSIONS), please write in.

UPDATE: As of 17:00 EST, Clicking on Software Update again does not show the older updates.  It appears Apple has fixed the problem

Joel Esler
http://handlers.sans.org/jesler
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SpamAssassin Release version 3.1.8

Published: 2007-02-16
Last Updated: 2007-02-16 19:44:47 UTC
by Joel Esler (Version: 3)
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Looks like a new version of SpamAssassin (SA) came out yesterday, version 3.1.8.  Take a look at the advisory here

This looks like a maintenance AND security release.  It patches CVE-2007-0451, a "possible DoS due to incredibly long URIs found in the message content".  According to fellow handler, Bojan, SA can be made to suck up large amounts of memory and CPU processing an e-mail message with the appropriate URL in the body.  Also, note that versions 3.1-3.1.7 are thought to be vulnerable, it is unclear whether earlier versions are also affected,.  The upcoming 3.2 release will also contain the fix.

Time to patch!

Joel Esler
http://handlers.sans.org/jesler
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New Challenge - Charlotte's Web Site

Published: 2007-02-16
Last Updated: 2007-02-16 18:10:27 UTC
by Ed Skoudis (Version: 1)
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Salutations, challenge fans!  I just posted a new challenge to test your skills over at Ethical Hacker dot Net.  This time around, I've weaved a web for you to untangle, set in the after-story of Charlotte's Web.  This book is one of my favorites and features a spider named Charlotte who has to save Wilbur the pig by building spider webs with words like "Terrific" and "Some Pig" in them.  In my challenge, you'll get to match wits with Lurvy, the farm hand, and decipher Charlotte's new plan to save Wilbur.  Answers are due by March 16, 2007.  Access the challenge here.

--Ed Skoudis
SANS Instructor
Handler, Internet Storm Center
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