Mac malware exploits unpatched drive-by Java vulnerability

Malware striking Mac computers is making the headlines again, this time exploiting a drive-by vulnerability in Java that has left Apple users dangerously exposed to attack.

The new Mac malware exploits a Java vulnerability (known as CVE-2012-0507), that Apple users are still not patched against.

Apple users won’t feel any consolation at all in the knowledge that their Windows cousins have been protected against the flaw since February.

Sophos security products identify the various components of the Mac malware attack as Exp/20120507-A, Troj/JavaDl-JI, OSX/Dloadr-DMU and OSX/Flshplyr-B – intercepting the threat before it can compromise Mac owners’ computers.

Once again, you’re left to ponder whether having Java installed on your computer is really worth it. Having Java on your PC or Mac may help you run some archaic applications, but it can also dramatically…

Read more in my article on the Naked Security website.

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Graham Cluley •   @gcluley

Graham Cluley is a veteran of the anti-virus industry having worked for a number of security companies since the early 1990s when he wrote the first ever version of Dr Solomon's Anti-Virus Toolkit for Windows. Now an independent security analyst, he regularly makes media appearances and is an international public speaker on the topic of computer security, hackers, and online privacy. Follow him on Twitter at @gcluley, on Mastodon at @[email protected], or drop him an email.