Skip to content
Thoughtful, detailed coverage of everything Apple for 33 years
and the TidBITS Content Network for Apple professionals

TidBITS Watchlist: Notable Software Updates for 19 April 2010

Mac OS X 10.6.3 Combo Update 1.1 — Apple has updated the combo updater for Mac OS X 10.6.3 (for details on that update, see “Mac OS X 10.6.3 Update Delivers Range of Fixes,” 29 March 2010). Although Apple provided no details on what was changed, the only users who need to consider installing it are those who updated from Mac OS X 10.6.0 using the 1.0 version of the Mac OS X 10.6.3 Update, build 10D573 (in other words, someone reinstalling Snow Leopard from scratch and then updating to 10.6.3 in one step). Apple has also released the tiny (635 KB) Mac OS X 10.6.3 Supplemental Update 1.0 solely via Software
Update for these users. The combo updater is available via the Apple Support Downloads page, and will be presented by Software Update to those reinstalling Snow Leopard from scratch. (Free, 785.29 MB)

Read/post comments about Mac OS X 10.6.3 Combo Update 1.1.

Mac OS X Server 10.6.3 Combo Update 1.1 — In addition to releasing a new version of the Mac OS X 10.6.3 Update noted above, Apple has updated the combo updater for Mac OS X Server 10.6.3. (Free, 897.32 MB)

Read/post comments about Mac OS X Server 10.6.3 Combo Update 1.1.

Security Update 2010-003 (Snow Leopard) — Apple has released Security Update 2010-003 (Snow Leopard) to address a critical vulnerability in the way Apple Type Services in Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard parses embedded fonts. Users who view or download any documents containing maliciously crafted embedded fonts run a risk of arbitrary code execution. The update addresses this issue by improving index checking. This vulnerability was first demonstrated by Charlie Miller at the Pwn2Own conference 20 days earlier, which shows a reasonably quick response on Apple’s part. The update requires Mac OS X 10.6.3 and is
available via Software Update and the Apple Support Downloads page. (Free, 6.5 MB)

Read/post comments about Security Update 2010-003 (Snow Leopard).

Security Update 2010-003 (Leopard) — Addressing the same critical vulnerability noted above, Apple has also released Security Update 2010-003 (Leopard-Client). A nearly identical update – Security Update 2010-003 (Leopard-Server) – is available for Leopard Server. The update requires you to be running Mac OS X 10.5.8 and is available via Software Update and the Apple Support Downloads page. (Free, 218.6/379.5 MB)

Read/post comments about Security Update 2010-003 (Leopard).

Server Admin Tools 10.6.3 — Apple has rolled out its latest collection of remote administration tools, documentation, and utilities for Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard Server in its Server Admin Tools 10.6.3 update. The update contains the latest versions of iCal Server Utility, Podcast Composer, Server Admin, Server Monitor, Server Preferences, System Image Utility, Workgroup Manager, and Xgrid Admin. Changes include improved Server Admin performance on IPv6 networks, increased support for late-2009 27-inch iMacs, and a fix for an issue in Workgroup Manager that could cause a user’s primary shortname to be changed when adding or editing other shortnames. Full release notes are available on Apple’s Web site. (Free, 236 MB)

Read/post comments about Server Admin Tools 10.6.3.

27-inch iMac EFI FW Update 1.0 — Apple’s recent EFI firmware update targets 27-inch iMacs with quad-core Intel Core i5 and Core i7 processors with two bug fixes that address issues with processor loads and the backlit display. The first issue could cause high processor loads when playing audio through the iMac’s headphone jack, while the second could prevent the display backlight from powering on. To install the update, follow the instructions in the updater application that launches automatically after the installer has closed. More information regarding installing a firmware update on an Intel-based Mac is
available on Apple’s Web site. The update is available via Software Update and the Apple Support Downloads page. (Free, 2.1 MB)

Apple has also released a minor SMC firmware update for 27-inch iMacs that addresses unspecified compatibility issues regarding Target Display mode. More information regarding installing SMC firmware updates is available on Apple’s Web site. That update is also available via Software Update and the Apple Support Downloads page. (Free, 397 KB)

Read/post comments about 27-inch iMac EFI FW Update 1.0.

MacBook Pro Software Update 1.3 — Only a few days after the announcement of the new MacBook Pro lineup, Apple released a software update for the laptops. The update improves high-end graphics performance, particularly as it relates to resource-intensive video and gaming. The update also fixes a handful of minor unspecified bugs. The hefty update is recommended for all 15- and 17-inch mid-2010 MacBook Pros, and is available via Software Update or the Apple Support Downloads page. (Free, 258.32 MB)

Read/post comments about MacBook Pro Software Update 1.3.

MobileMe Backup 3.2 — Apple has released a minor update to MobileMe Backup that purportedly improves overall reliability in restoring from backup – though no specifics are provided in the release notes – and introduces a feature that helps the program use disk space more efficiently. That feature is called “recycling” and amounts to the deleting of old backups to recover disk space. Limited scheduling options are available to those backing up to hard disk or optical discs; users backing up to iDisk do not have the option of choosing when backups are recycled. Users may also choose to disable recycling. More
information
on recycling is available on Apple’s Web site. The update is available via Software Update or the Apple Support Downloads page. (Free, 6.73 MB)

Read/post comments about MobileMe Backup 3.2.

Subscribe today so you don’t miss any TidBITS articles!

Every week you’ll get tech tips, in-depth reviews, and insightful news analysis for discerning Apple users. For over 33 years, we’ve published professional, member-supported tech journalism that makes you smarter.

Registration confirmation will be emailed to you.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. The Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.