Computerworld reports that security researchers from CoreLabs have publicly released details on a critical security flaw in Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, an older version of the Mac's operating system. Curiously, the security flaw in Leopard is quite similar to a flaw we reported on back in August, which allowed easy-as-pie browser-based jailbreaking of iOS devices.

CoreLabs became aware of the flaw in Leopard and informed Apple only a couple weeks after Apple patched a similar hole in iOS 4; according to those same researchers, Apple has had more than enough time since then to patch the flaw in Leopard. That the flaw remains unpatched was the researchers' motivation for sounding the alarm publicly.

The current version of Mac OS X, 10.6 Snow Leopard, is not vulnerable to this exploit. Those using Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard will remain vulnerable until Apple offers a security update for the older OS, which theoretically should be coming soon (reportedly, Apple has developed a patch and is simply waiting to release it). As it stands now, Mac OS X Leopard's vulnerability could potentially leave the OS vulnerable to malware or remote attacks. More specific information is available on CoreLabs' website.

Microsoft has released an update to Office for Mac 2011 today. The 14.0.1 update weighs in at 110 MB and includes critical fixes for issues that might cause Office 2011 applications to stop responding or quit unexpectedly. Other issues the update addresses include:

Excel: Excel-calculated cells are updated when revisions are made to related data. Reliability is improved when the FORMAT macro command is used.

Word: Stability is improved when you build equations.

PowerPoint: Stability is improved during slide shows. Compatibility with PowerPoint 2007 and PowerPoint 2010 is improved.

Outlook: Reliability is improved when you delete messages from multiple IMAP accounts. Email passwords are retained in the keychain after new accounts are imported into Outlook.

The update is recommended for all users of Office 2011 and can be downloaded here.

Back in December of 2009, I reported on the public beta of Snagit on Mac, a screenshot tool for Mac from TechSmith, the folks who bring you the Camtasia screen recorder. Well, the beta is over, and after 100,000+ testers gave the app a good scrubbing, it's now available for sale for US$49.95.

Snagit isn't a new product -- it's been around on the Windows platform since 1991 -- but Snagit on Mac is new. One purchase of the application on either platform gives you a non-concurrent use license for both Windows and Mac. I had tried out Snagit on Mac during early beta and frankly wasn't impressed, but I'm pleased to say that the release version is replacing my current screenshot solution. Tech bloggers and authors do a tremendous number of screenshots, so switching to a new tool isn't something that is done lightly.

Follow along with me as I give you a first look at Snagit on Mac.

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According to a memo acquired by The Boy Genius Report (BGR), Apple has altered its policy on treating iPods with water damage. Under the new guidelines, service personnel will be required to do two things. First, confirm that the device's internal Liquid Contact Indicators (LCIs) had been activated. Second, the tech must positively identify secondary evidence of water damage. Previously, they were only required to confirm the LCI activation. BGR wonders if Apple has begun to mistrust the LCIs, and therefore ordered the search for secondary confirmation.

Last year, a number of users complained of damage suffered while using the iPhone during a workout. Yes, the iPhone plays music and has that spiffy Nike + app, but if you're going to hit the gym, we suggest picking up a US$49 dollar -- and significantly more liquid-resistant -- iPod shuffle.

[Via iPodNN]

John Gruber, who writes the popular Daring Fireball blog just sent out a Tweet saying "Look what a little birdie sent me" and then linked to an image of a boy (I'm assuming his son), playing with a white iPhone 4.

I've been reading Gruber's blog for some time and he isn't the kind of guy who seems to play practical jokes. So there's two options here: either someone just gave Gruber a white iPhone 4, or someone gave Gruber a picture of a boy playing with a white iPhone 4.

The only question is, how did either of them get it? You can see the full picture here.

Update: Gruber just Tweeted this: "Just to be clear: it's some kind of toy. The display is paper (under glossy plastic). Bizarre!" Lame, John.