Apple has recently updated the Snow Leopard operating system to version 10.6.3. This update, which is rated as critical, comes with numerous fixes and improvements – and it plugs a grand total of 88 security holes. The Cupertino-based software developer has recently rolled out one other update: iTunes 9.1.

Just like Mac OS X 10.6.3, iTunes 9.1 comes with several new features and improvements. Here’s the lowdown:

• Rename, rearrange and remove Genius Mixes. The feature that puts together a playlist composed of songs it thinks go well together was introduced in iTunes 9.0.
• Organize and sync books downloaded from iBooks on iPad or added to the iTunes library.
• Sync iTunes with iPad.

From a security point of view, iTunes 9.1 comes with fixes for a total of 7 security vulnerabilities. Here’s the lowdown on these vulnerabilities:

• Colorsync - CVE-2010-0040

Description: An integer overflow, that could result in a heap buffer overflow, exists in the handling of images with an embedded color profile. Opening a maliciously crafted image with an embedded color profile may lead to an unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution. The isssue is addressed by performing additional validation of color profiles.
Impact: Viewing a maliciously crafted image with an embedded color profile may lead to an unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution.
Applies to: Windows 7, Vista, XP.
Credit: Sebastien Renaud of VUPEN Vulnerability Research Team.

• ImageIO - CVE-2009-2285

Description: A buffer underflow exists in ImageIO's handling of TIFF images. Viewing a maliciously crafted TIFF image may lead to an unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution. This issue is addressed through improved bounds checking.
Impact: Viewing a maliciously crafted TIFF image may lead to an unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution.
Applies to: Windows 7, Vista, XP

• ImageIO - CVE-2010-0041

Description: An uninitialized memory access issue exists in ImageIO's handling of BMP images. Visiting a maliciously crafted website may result in sending data from Safari's memory to the website. This issue is addressed through improved memory handling and additional validation of BMP images.
Impact: Visiting a maliciously crafted website may result in sending data from Safari's memory to the website.
Applies to: Windows 7, Vista, XP.
Credit: Matthew 'j00ru' Jurczyk of Hispasec.

• ImageIO - CVE-2010-0042

Description: An uninitialized memory access issue exists in ImageIO's handling of TIFF images. Visiting a maliciously crafted website may result in sending data from Safari's memory to the website. This issue is addressed through improved memory handling and additional validation of TIFF images.
Impact: Visiting a maliciously crafted website may result in sending data from Safari's memory to the website.
Applies to: Windows 7, Vista, XP.
Credit: Matthew 'j00ru' Jurczyk of Hispasec.

• ImageIO - CVE-2010-0043

Description: A memory corruption issue exists in the handling of TIFF images. Processing a maliciously crafted TIFF image may lead to an unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution. This issue is addressed through improved memory handling.
Impact: Processing a maliciously crafted TIFF image may lead to an unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution.
Applies to: Windows 7, Vista, XP.
Credit: Gus Mueller of Flying Meat.

• iTunes - CVE-2010-0531

Description: An infinite loop issue exists in the handling of MP4 files.A maliciously crafted podcast may be able to cause an infinite loop in iTunes, and prevent its operation even after it is relaunched. This issue is addressed through improved validation of MP4 files.
Impact: Importing a maliciously crafted MP4 file may lead to a denial of service
Applies to: Mac OS X v10.4.11 or later, Mac OS X Server v10.4.11 or later, Windows 7, Vista, XP
Credit: Sojeong Hong of Sourcefire VRT

• iTunes - CVE-2010-0532

Description: A privilege escalation issue exists in the iTunes for Windows installation package. During the installation process, a race condition may allow a local user to modify a file that is then executed with system privileges. The issue is addressed through improved access controls for installation files.
Impact: A local user may be able to obtain system privileges during iTunes installation
Applies to: Windows 7, Vista, XP
Credit: Jason Geffner of NGSSoftware

If you would like to get iTunes 9.1, you can download it straight from Apple here.