Apple Releases New Java 6 Updates With Enhanced Security, Uninstalls Apple-Provided Java Applet Plug-in [Mac Blog]

java.pngApple today released updated versions of Java 6 for OS X, bringing additional improvements to security, reliability, and compatibility. This is a standard update to Java 6, which is distributed by Apple. Java 7 is available through Oracle.
Java for OS X 2013-005 delivers improved security, reliability, and compatibility for Java SE 6. Java for OS X 2013-005 supersedes all previous versions of Java for OS X.

This release updates the Apple-provided system Java SE 6 to version 1.6.0_65 and is for OS X versions 10.7 or later.

This update uninstalls the Apple-provided Java applet plug-in from all web browsers. To use applets on a web page, click on the region labeled “Missing plug-in” to go download the latest version of the Java applet plug-in from Oracle.There are separate updates available for both OS X Snow Leopard and OS X Lion/Mountain Lion, which can be downloaded through the Mac App Store or from Appleā€™s software download site.

On its support page that explains the software update, Apple notes that multiple vulnerabilities in the previous version of Java were repaired.Description: Multiple vulnerabilities existed in Java 1.6.0_51, the most serious of which may allow an untrusted Java applet to execute arbitrary code outside the Java sandbox. Visiting a web page containing a maliciously crafted untrusted Java applet may lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the current user. These issues were addressed by updating to Java version 1.6.0_65.Apple has also released new printer drivers for HP and Canon printers.