Apple Releases Airport Extreme Update 2007-002

Apple made available yesterday the Airport Extreme Update 2007-002. The update includes the content from the AirPort Extreme Update 2007-001 that addresses a wireless network security issue.

The update also improves compatibility with AirPort Extreme base stations and networks. The 2007-002 update is available as standalone installer (6.5MB) from Apple Downloads or via Software Update preferences.

The security issue addressed by this Airport Extreme update is described as such: "An attacker in local proximity may be able to trigger a system crash by sending a maliciously-crafted frame to an affected system. This issue affects the Core Duo version of Mac mini, MacBook, and MacBook Pro computers equipped with wireless." The issue does not affect other systems besides the ones mentioned. This update performs additional validations for wireless frames.

This same fix is also available through Update 2007-001 for AirPort extreme, but this second update also improves compatibility for MacBook Core 2 Duo and MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo when using certain third-party access points configured to use WEP Open System security.

The update is recommended for all Intel-based Macs and if you haven't applied Airport Extreme Update 2007-001, you can use Update 2007-002 and still be correctly patched.

AirPort Extreme is a local area wireless networking system from Apple Inc. based on the Wi-Fi standard. AirPort Extreme was updated this January and it now features support for 802.11a/b/g and draft-n protocols. The revision also adds two additional LAN ports for a total of three. The case of the base station was also changed, now it's square-shaped and resembles the Apple TV or the Mac Mini. Previously, the base station was 'UFO'-shaped.

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