Mozilla Patches 10 Firefox Bugs

Firefox 2.0.0.1, the first update since the October debut of Firefox 2.0, fixes 10 flaws while 1.5.0.9 patches nine. Both Firefox 1.5.x and 2.x will alert their users that an update is ready to install, but impatient users can download the fixes from the Mozilla Web site.

According to the security advisories posted by Mozilla, the updates quash bugs in the layout and JavaScript engines, Firefox's implementation of SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) comment objects, and LiveConnect, the bridge code that allows Java applets and Web-based JavaScript to communicate. Some of the vulnerabilities were also present in Mozilla's ThunderBird e-mail client and the SeaMonkey suite, which have been updated to 1.5.0.9 and 1.0.7, respectively.

But a Firefox bug first reported Nov. 22 hasn't been fixed. The vulnerability, which Danish security tracker Secunia pegged as "less critical," could let attackers hijack passwords from Firefox sessions. Secunia has recommended that users disable the browser's automated password saving feature until a patch is produced. (In Firefox, users can select Tools|Options|Security, then clear the box marked "Remember passwords for sites.")

Mozilla on Tuesday also repeated earlier recommendations that users update to Firefox 2.0, as the 1.5.x line will be maintained with security fixes only until April 24, 2007. Firefox 1.x dropped off Mozilla's security support list in May.

Firefox 1.5.0.9 and 2.0.0.1 are available immediately for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.