Apple releases patches for Leopard

The patch covers 18 flaws, notably a problem with the way PNG images are handled that left Apple systems vulnerable to remote code execution. Patches have also been included for handling RAW images and four patches 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 connections are more solid. Bluetooth support has also been improved.

One of the patches addresses problems with the MobileMe application. Previously when a user signed out their credential were left on the system, 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 the next iteration, Snow Leopard, is released in September. Pre-sales on Snow Leopard have already begun and demand has proved very strong.