Apple releases patches for Leopard

Apple has released what is probably the final patch for Mac OS X 10.5, also known as Leopard.

The patch covers 18 flaws, most notably a problem with the handling of PNG images that left Apple systems vulnerable to remote code execution.

Patches have also been included for the handling of RAW images, and for the ImageIO system that allows applications to read and write popular image file formats.

The wireless connectivity of the operating system has also been patched to improve compatibility with Airport, and ensure that connections are more solid. Bluetooth support has also been improved, Apple said.

One of the patches addresses problems with the MobileMe application. Previously a user's credentials were left on the system when they signed out, but this fault has been fixed.

Apple's XML system has also been beefed up, in light of problems in the XML library system it uses. These flaws were announced today and affect a wide variety of code based on open-source software.

This is likely to be the last update for the Leopard operating system before Snow Leopard is released in September. Pre-sales on Snow Leopard have already begun and demand has proved very strong.