Apple Releases 10.4.10 for OS X

Apple has released OS X version 10.4.10. While it contains several enhancements and fixes for the operating system it also includes one security related update. This security update keeps Apple in the one-a-month category for security updates to OS X.

This security vulnerability is described by Apple as:

…the reception of specially crafted IPv6 packets may lead to a reduction in network bandwidth.

This is a relatively low risk vulnerability as it doesn’t include a potential loss of data and doesn’t allow the installation of malicious software. The update also includes security patches released since 10.4.9.

The update is available through the Software Update feature of OS X or as a standalone download. The Intel version of the update is a 49MB download when done through Software Update (click the thumbnail to see notification full size). The update is also available as a standalone installer in four forms. There are downloads for the Power PC (PPC) and Intel CPUs. Then each CPU has a “delta” update which requires that 10.4.9 already be applied and a much larger “combo” update which includes all previous updates to OS X 10.4.

I applied the update to two Intel Macs without incident. Like previous updates the first reboot after the patch is significantly longer than usual.