News
Apple releases iOS 4.3.4, fixes PDF security issue
By Jesse Hollington
Applications Editor, iLounge (Google+)
Published: Friday, July 15, 2011
News Category: Apple, iPad, iPhone, iPod
Apple has released iOS 4.3.4, the latest version of its mobile operating system for the iPad, iPad 2, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 (GSM) and third- and fourth-generation iPod touch. According to Apple’s release notes, the update fixes a security vulnerability associated with viewing malicious PDF files. Apple’s support article provides additional details noting that the issue is related to handling of TrueType and Type 1 fonts that could allow viewing of a “maliciously crafted PDF file” to lead to “unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution.” iOS 4.3.4 (build 8K2) is available now via the Update feature in iTunes; a similar update, iOS 4.2.9 (build 8E601), is also available for the CDMA iPhone 4.
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1
I didn’t want a 4.3 update for CDMA anyways. iOS 4.3 is so overrated.
/sarcasm
Posted by jiji on July 15, 2011 at 11:34 AM (PDT)
2
I want to know if the same security issues pertain to earlier iTouches and iPhones. Certainly, earlier devices should be protected from malware as the shiny new ones.
Posted by Michael Kazlow on July 15, 2011 at 12:10 PM (PDT)
3
Unfortunately, Apple’s response to those who own iPods, iPhones, and iPod Touches is to buy a new one.
That’s their response to security issues with older Mac OSes (buy a new Mac!) and the same philosophy applies to the iOS line too.
It’s just greed. It’s not that they don’t have the time or resources to issue security fixes that can be applied across-the-board, it’s that they want you to buy hardware.
Because that’s where the money is.
Posted by JimmyBobSmith on July 15, 2011 at 1:57 PM (PDT)
4
@Michael:
This exploit is the same one used to install the latest jailbreak. Once the Cydia app is installed you can install PDFpatcher2 to protect old iDevices that Apple no longer supports. You’re welcome, Steve!
Posted by Paul on July 15, 2011 at 3:00 PM (PDT)
5
@2&3: Let’s be honest here, this isn’t so much about protecting you as it is protecting Apple in that this thwarts a recent jailbreak method. You’re not going get attacked downloading a restaurant’s menu PDF or a journal article from your local university. And other than the 8GB 2G Touch that was on sale until last fall, this doesn’t affect any other touches sold since 2009. That’s at least a solid two years of support and that’s double what any i-Device owner used to get.
Complain about it, pound your chest, but if you bought any Apple device before summer-fall 2009 and hadn’t notice the support patterns for the previous 8 years of i-Devices, I’ve got no sympathy for crocodile tears over this minor security glitch.
Posted by Code Monkey in Midstate New York on July 16, 2011 at 3:49 AM (PDT)