Shellshock flaw poses big security threat for Mac, other Unix systems — This security threat has the potential to be even bigger than Heartbleed because of the way it lets attackers remotely access victims computers through the Bash command line shell for Unix and Linux – so this potentially affects Mac OS X and the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
Shellshock is about a 25-year-old security flaw in the Bash shell that lets code held in certain variables to be executed immediately and without the victim’s knowledge. That code could give attackers deep level access to the system as well as to any data they want to harvest.
The flaw is a serious threat for Mac users even if they don’t typically use the Terminal app to access their computer’s Unix underpinnings because many of the apps they use may be tapping into Bash on some level.
You can check to see if your Mac is vulnerable to the threat by launching Terminal and entering this command (copy that command below, paste it into Terminal and press Enter):
env x='() { :;}; echo vulnerable’ bash -c ‘echo hello’
If you see “vulnerable” as part of the response to the command (above), your Mac is susceptible to the Shellshock threat. For Mac users who’re comfortable compiling their own code, Stack Exchange details how to apply your own Bash patch.
In the meantime, if you’re using Apple wifi routers you’re less vulnerable, and,make sure your firewalls are on (System Preferences>Security) Apple should shortly have an update out to address Shellshock.
Researcher accuses Apple of ignoring iCloud brute-force attack for 6 months — A security researcher who discovered a brute-force attack against Apple’s iCloud service in March — similar to the “iBrute” vulnerability that surfaced in conjunction with the celebrity photo hacking scandal earlier this month — says the company refused to address the flaw for months after he reported it. [Apple’s profile is now so big, it can noafford to take security threats lightly.]
Adobe updates Photoshop Elements and Premier Elements with great results — Adobe’s consumer photo and video apps, Photoshop Elements and Premier Elements., are now both at version 13 in this new release. Significant changes include Retina display support on Macs and very cool Guided Editing features.
Mac NZ 