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Safari 3.1 For Windows Violates Its Own EULA, Vulnerable To Hacks
Posted by
Zonk
on Thu Mar 27, 2008 07:45 AM
from the you-have-chosen-poorly dept.
from the you-have-chosen-poorly dept.
recoiledsnake writes "The new Safari 3.1 for Windows has been hit with two 'highly critical'(as rated by Secunia) vulnerabilities that can result in execution of arbitrary code. The first is due to an improper handling of the buffer for long filenames of files being downloaded, and the second can result in successful spoofing of websites and phishing. This comes close on the heels of criticism of Apple for offering Safari as a update for approximately 500 million users of iTunes on Windows by default, and reports of crashes. There are currently no patches or workarounds available except the advice to stay clear of 'untrusted' sites." Further, Wormfan writes "The latest version of Safari for Windows makes a mockery of end user licensing agreements by only allowing the installation of Safari for Windows on Apple labeled hardware, thereby excluding most Windows PCs." Update: 03/27 17:23 GMT by Z : Dave Schroeder writes with the note that the license has been updated to correct this mistake.
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Technology: Mozilla CEO Objects To Safari Auto Install 768 comments
hairyfeet writes "Do you use iTunes on Windows? If so you may be getting the gift of Safari from Apple whether you want it or not, and Mozilla CEO John Lilly is not happy about it. After his daughter was offered Safari as a 'bonus update' with a recent update to her iTunes software, Mr. Lilly says on his blog, 'What Apple is doing now with their Apple Software Update on Windows is wrong. It undermines the trust relationship great companies have with their customers, and that's bad — not just for Apple, but for the security of the whole Web.' He also pointed out the check box is already clicked when you go to update meaning you have to opt out, not in and that it lists Safari as getting an update even if you don't have it installed." Update: 03/21 21:44 GMT by KD : Corrected the name of the Mozilla CEO; also linked directly to his blog.
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It has begun... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:It has begun... (Score:5, Funny)
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Re:It has begun... (Score:4, Funny)
Since my job was prepping the machines for install in the studio, I decided to pimp the studio people by putting an "Intel Inside" logo over the Apple logo; of course the machine was for the Mac zealot in the group who was super pissed that the logo was there and that he couldn't figure out how to remove it.
I caught hell for doing it, primarily because it took major surgery and a ton of time to put the stupid thing in there and I didn't get some other tasks accomplished.
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Re:It has begun... (Score:5, Funny)
I went down to engineering and got one of the old metal Sun logos, the ones that used to be on the front of Sun-2 boxes, and put it over the logo of the laptop, fired it up in my office, and waited for the first victim to wander by. A while later, one of the senior software developers walked into my office to ask me something, and spied the laptop with the Sun logo and the screensaver running with the Sun logo on it. "How'd you get a Sparc laptop? I didn't think they were in production yet!" I have lots of friends
It didn't take long for the prank to be found out, but it sure was fun for a while...
Reminds me of the time that I got Wine running under A/UX (Apple's version of UNIX, SVR4 flavor) - I was working for Apple at the time, and it was fun to see people's faces when they'd come by and see the Windows logo on the screen on what was obviously a Mac, but that's a story for another time. Sure was a fair bit of work, but it worth the prank value...
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Re:It has begun... (Score:5, Funny)
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Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
If you want to continue that logic, you don't have to buy a computer at all, or any electronics for that matter. In fact, you could be a naturalist and live without even clothes.
Not that I dislike apple more now then I did before I RTFA, which is to say I have a fairly neutral view on them, but if you look at a lot of articles lately I do believe that in gen
You keep saying that word.... (Score:4, Informative)
"A scholar or student of natural history, the science of the natural world; see also natural science. It may also refer to a Wildlife enthusiast or a Conservationist"
Not a naturist or nudist.
Parent
Re:You keep saying that word.... (Score:5, Funny)
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Re:You keep saying that word.... (Score:4, Funny)
Chill, don't get your knickers in a twist.
Err
Cheers
Parent
Re:It has begun... (Score:5, Funny)
Any EULA is basically saying:
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Re:It has begun... (Score:5, Insightful)
You don't even have to use apple-firmware in your ipod. There's an upgrade-firmware [rockbox.org] that makes itunes totally obsolete.
It's not available for all ipod-models yet though...
All in all, though, an installer that offers the option of installing irrelevant software (like installers that offer "google toolbar" or "Safari" or "superduper spywareinstaller") should have that option unselected as default.
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Re:It has begun... (Score:5, Informative)
Mind you, I last installed it about 4 months ago. I'll try again if people say it's much better now.
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Re:It has begun... (Score:4, Insightful)
Anyone who installs Apple software had better be prepared to join the cult, otherwise stay the hell clear of it.
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Re:It has begun... (Score:5, Informative)
Anyone who installs Apple software had better be prepared to join the cult, otherwise stay the hell clear of it.
Download the installer. Run cabextract on it. You'll get the following files:
AppleSoftwareUpdate.msi
QuickTime.msi
QuickTimeInstallerAdmin.exe
Only install Qucktime.msi. Delete the others. Just do msiexec
Then run this registry file:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"QuickTime Task"=-
Make sure to delete the shortcuts so users can't bring it up. Doing it this way will let the browser plugins work, and also enable software that uses quicktime to work (lots of educational software uses it) without being hostile to your system. It will only take the quicktime file extensions this way.
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Re:It has begun... (Score:5, Informative)
"msiexec
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Re:It has begun... (Score:5, Interesting)
People are having software that they have no license to use being automatically installed on their systems. I would think a term like that is not valid (non-obvious terms may not be valid in the US), but if it does hold, they will have millions of people in the US infringing on their IP. If they decide they are desperate and start suing (not likely any time soon) there are a lot of potential targets.
This is like the RIAA giving away MP3s on their website, saying "you agree to listen to this on only RIAA approved devices". When you suddenly have millions of people acting innocently illegally using your product it is not good for them.
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Re:It has begun... (Score:4, Informative)
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Re:It has begun... (Score:5, Insightful)
Oh blow me. Can you imagine the shitstorm of a comment thread that would result from this exact same thing being the result of MS's doing? The massive gaping security hole *is* a big deal, it is not made less so just because Apple did it and not MS.
And what the hell are you talking about with MS giving guidelines? You mean like, MS should give you guidelines on what you should and should not do with your PC? Dude, seriously, where the hell did you come up with your ideas?
Parent
Re:It has begun... (Score:5, Funny)
Good god, man! We've got to get them back on Internet Explorer!
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Re:It has begun... (Score:5, Insightful)
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Re:It has begun... (Score:4, Insightful)
So first we have to have a user who is unaware of what Safari is or careless enough to not uncheck the box in Apple Software Update. It seems highly unlikely to me that many of the users who download Safari without thinking about it are going to go looking for it in the Programs menu and launch it. And it's not vulnerable if it's not running.
It was silly and wrong for Apple to leave the box checked by default, but this is not a big problem, and it's not going to become one.
Parent
Re:It has begun... (Score:5, Insightful)
The issue is in part that Safari is not related to iTunes or Quicktime. There's no reason to believe that by installing music software, the manufacturer will also push a browser to you.
All this will do is piss people off and make them turn off automatic update options, which will eventually result in some flaw in iTunes or Quicktime being less widely patched. It was not a capital crime, but it was dumb and irresponsible of Apple.
And the EULA thing is just funny. What with the ample fleet of lawyers they have in Cupertino, I'm surprised ANYTHING gets out without a full legal vetting. Software gets out with bugs, but EULAs don't typically get out without great scrutiny.
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Acidity (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Acidity (Score:5, Funny)
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Yet more proof (Score:5, Funny)
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Some ideas are not so good (Score:5, Insightful)
I wonder... (Score:5, Funny)
It was bound to happen (Score:5, Insightful)
I am waiting for the EULA that requires all users to declare the programmer their god and send off their first born child to him in sacrifice.
Re:It was bound to happen (Score:4, Funny)
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Re:It was bound to happen (Score:5, Interesting)
See paragraphs 2 and 3 in the LIMITATION OF LIABILITY section.
Parent
Nonsensical headline (Score:4, Insightful)
I agree that the EULA makes no sense, assuming that Apple wants as many Windows users as possible to use Safari. But that's an entirely different matter.
In fact, the EULA can be adhered to without any problem: afterall, you can install Windows just fine on Mac hardware these days. So you can actually run Safari for Windows on "Apple labeled hardware".
I seriously doubt the way it is stated in the EULA is really Apples intention though
I think you're not reading closely enough (Score:5, Informative)
I got Safari as part of the iTunes update. I have a non-Apple Windows machine, running Safari. They basically forced the software on me, and the EULA says I can't use it.
Does that answer your question?
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Re:Nonsensical headline (Score:4, Insightful)
As someone who regularly uses the functions "copy" and "paste", I can tell you that there are many times where I c/p a blob of text and forgot to change something crucial in it. This happens to many people. Apparently, the folks at Apple are not immune to human flaws.
It's probably just an oversight. A HUGE oversight. But there's really no need to make a circus out of it. Then again, this is Slashdot, right?
Parent
Violating the EULA (Score:5, Interesting)
When I go to best buy I don't "license" an OS or piece of software; I pick a box up off the shelf, pay money for it and am delivered a purchase reciept. I then own the goods that I just BOUGHT. I am under no statutory obligation to read anything or sign anything. I tear open the box and do what I want with it, short of violating copyright law.
Your EULA is fiction, and until I see one stand up in court I'm going to ignore it.
-mcgrew
Re:Violating the EULA (Score:5, Insightful)
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You can stop ignoring them (Score:5, Interesting)
"ProCD, Inc. v. Zeidenberg, 86 F.3d 1447 (7th Cir., 1996), is a United States contract case involving a "shrink wrap license". The issue presented to the court was whether a shrink wrap license was valid and enforceable. Judge Easterbrook wrote the opinion for the court and found such a license was valid and enforceable."
They've been held up in court. The issue isn't totally decided, with other cases dealing with more specific issues, but your "nah nah nah MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB nah nah nah" fingers in the ears stance may not be legally prudent.
Parent
Re:Violating the EULA (Score:5, Informative)
The whole section on enforcability starts with "The enforceability of an EULA depends on several factors, one of them being the court in which the case is heard. Some courts that have addressed the validity of the shrinkwrap license agreements have found some EULAs to be invalid, characterizing them as contracts of adhesion, unconscionable, and/or unacceptable pursuant to the U.C.C." If you read between the lines, it says "No court has rejected EULAs outright". If you're outside the US, it seems to be much the same. Yes, Germany declared the bundling with Windows to be unenforcable, but the EULA as such still remains. In short, you're talking about the way you want it to be not legal reality except possibly in Kansas where there was a ruling agreeing with you.
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Re:Violating the EULA (Score:4, Interesting)
Yes, it sucks, but that's what free software is for.
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Re:Violating the EULA (Score:4, Informative)
Sorry, but 17 USC 117 says that owning the binary copy already grants me the right to install and use the software.
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Fine by me (Score:5, Funny)
Profit? (Score:5, Funny)
Step 2: Sue non-Mac owning PC users for violating EULA
Step 3: ???
Hardly surprising (Score:4, Interesting)
And the heavy-handed tactics they use to push said software is truly amazing. If MS did half of the underhanded stuff Apple does, they would be dragged back into court in a heartbeat. Why Apple continues to get a free pass on such crap is beyond me.
I will NOT install Quicktime, iTunes, Safari or any other Apple software on my computer. And I always advise others not too as well. It's just not worth the hassle (if Apple really wanted your business, and not just to sleaze their way onto your computer, they would sell iTunes songs through their website and not require a software download).
Re:Hardly surprising (Score:5, Interesting)
Seriously though, Apple is allowed legaly for said reason, but I never understood why people accept it... I mean, last I checked, when Microsoft -started- doing that crap, they weren't a monopoly either...and look where it got us.
That being said...watching a media player (iTune)conflict with a RAID (I swear Ive seen that happen) is quite amusing... Just exactly WHAT is that stupid thing doing anyway?
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Re:Hardly surprising (Score:5, Informative)
That "spyware" service you refer to is just a notifier to open iTunes when an iPod is connected. That's all it does. It's hardly malicious, and it doesn't report to Apple what you do with your computer.
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Re:Hardly surprising (Score:4, Insightful)
Safari is marketed as the perfect browser for Windows, without flaw, without question. They have the gall to assume that everyone who uses iTunes would prefer Safari simply because it has an Apple logo on it.
And when Safari falls victim to Security vulnerabilities just like every program out there, those of us who know what we're talking about don't blame Apple for their complete incompetence as programmers. Security vulnerabilities happen. It's the way of programming. It's virtually unavoidable. Yet fanboys turn around and say Apple isn't obligated as a company to produce secure software and back up their own marketing hype simply because Windows is a crap platform. It sickens me. And they get away with it.
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Nobody reads them (Score:4, Funny)
More likely, some tired programmer just copied the string resource across from another project without checking it.
A buffer overflow? In 2008? Seriously? (Score:5, Interesting)
Man, they're not even trying are they? This day an age, not only is there no excuse to ship with such a basic flaw, there's really no excuse to be programming in a fashion that would allow it. It's so easy to audit for basic overflows (at least on Windows) that it's silly. Even just compiling /GS with VC++ should protect you against a lot. Seriously, people give MS a bad rap these days, but any exploit you're going to see in their software these days usually takes advantage of complex system interactions or odd exception throwing.
Apple should take a serious look at their coding practices and consider banning the use of unsafe CRT functions and using _s versions of any C functions their using (Visual C++ has them and they're part of the next standard) or at a minimum requiring audits of all raw pointers. Static analysis tools should also be mandatory and should catch most issues.(http://www.spinroot.com/static/)
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
Yeah, and they found that it's based on Konqueror, not Firefox. Something that Apple widely acknowledges, too.
Re:Switch? (Score:4, Insightful)
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some comments (Score:4, Informative)
(I have a Mac Mini, an iMac, and several iPods, but I now mostly use my Ubuntu systems for everything)
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