The Register® — Biting the hand that feeds IT

Feeds

Java and Flash fixes tax system security

More updates on the patch bandwagon

Agentless Backup is Not a Myth

Sys admins hoping to put their feet up after Microsoft's monthly update, which went far from smoothly, faced the problem of pushing out Java and Flash security updates issued at the tail end of last week.

Users are susceptible to hacking attacks just by viewing a web page that contains malicious Flash or Java content, as a result of multiple vulnerabilities in the packages. Fortunately, Adobe and Sun have both issued security updates designed to guard against possible attack.

A buffer overflow vulnerability in the image parsing code in the Java Runtime Environment means untrusted applets or applications could grant themselves permission to read and write local files. A separate system crashing vulnerability means users need to upgrade to JRE 5 Update 12 or JRE 6 Update 2. The issue, which also means developers need to upgrade Java Development Kit software, is explained in greater depth in Sun's advisory here.

Various versions of Adobe Flash Player are also subject to buffer overflow flaws, which likewise allow hackers to inject hostile code onto vulnerable systems. Users need to update to version 9.0.47.0, as explained here.

Although neither vulnerability has been packaged as a script-kiddie friendly exploit as yet, users and sys admins are urged to apply updates sooner rather than later. ®

Steps to Take Before Choosing a Business Continuity Partner

Latest Comments

Firefox + NoScript

And from now on, use Firefox + NoScript.

From http://noscript.net:

"This free, open source add-on allows JavaScript and Java execution only for trusted domains of your choice (e.g. your home-banking web site). NoScript optionally blocks Flash and other potentially exploitable plugins too, and provides the most powerful Anti-XSS protection available in a browser."

0
0

More from The Register

 breaking news
Number of cops abusing Police National Computer access on the rise
Only a telegram from the Queen can get you off it
 breaking news
NSA PRISM snoop-gate: Won't someone think of the children, wails Apple
10,000 things probed, mostly about missing kids, Alzheimer patients, we're told
Flash flaw potentially makes every webcam or laptop a PEEPHOLE
But it's a Google problem - Chrome only, insists Adobe
Internet fraud still stings suckers
Australians twice as gullible as Americans
 breaking news
NSA PRISM-gate: Relax, GCHQ spooks 'keep us safe', says Cameron
Whatever they are up to, it's all above board, we're told
 breaking news
Yahoo! joins! rivals! in! PRISM! data! request! admission!
Keep calm and carry on using American tech firms, folks
PRISM snitch claims NSA hacked Chinese targets since 2009
Snowden suddenly looks safer in Hong Kong after revelations
 breaking news
US chief spook: Look, we only want to spy on 6.66 BEELLLION of you
Americans assured they are not in the NSA's sights
Speech-to-text drives motorists to distraction
Will talking to you mean I crash into that car up ahead, Siri?
DHS warns of vulns in hospital medical equipment
Has your doctor's anasthesia machine been hacked?