The Internet Explorer Security Update is recommended for all users of Apple’s Mac OS X and Internet Explorer 5.1 for Mac, a representative of Microsoft’s Macintosh Business Unit told MacCentral. The update is in response to a vulnerability found in Internet Explorer 5.1 for Mac.
“The vulnerability results because the operating system automatically launches downloaded MacBinary and BinHex files decoded by Internet Explorer 5.1,” Erik Ryan, Microsoft’s Macintosh Business Unit’s Product Manager, told MacCentral. “Internet Explorer 5.1 for the Macintosh automatically decodes executable files encoded as BinHex or MacBinary and then the Mac OS automatically executes them. A malicious user could entice others to a web site to download an application designed to do damage.”
The vulnerability is specific to Internet Explorer 5.1 included with Mac OS X 10.1. Users of Mac OS X 10.0.4 or earlier will not need this update. The security vulnerability also does not affect users of Mac OS 9.
The Internet Explorer update will only be available via the Software Update system preference in Mac OS X. Microsoft advises the update should be posted and be available at 3:00 pm Pacific — please re-check your Software Update application if it’s not there right away.