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Airport Extreme Base Station Update

by Erica Sadun Apr 11th 2007 at 12:25PM

Apple has just released a new update for AirPort Extreme base stations. The update includes general fixes, security improvements and addresses compatibility for the 802.11n base station. To install this update, you'll need AirPort Utility 5.1 for Mac or Windows.

The first security concerns seem to be the AirPort's ability to allow incoming IPv6 connections, which it does by default. The new update changes those default settings to limit inbound IPv6 connections to the local network only. You can check your settings after installing the update by opening AirPort Utility, selecting an 802.11 Extreme base station, clicking Advanced -> IPv6, and making sure that Block incoming IPv6 connections is checked.

A second security issue allows file names from a password-protected AirPort Disk to be viewed by users on the local network without a password. This is patched to require validation before file names (not file contents) can be seen.



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Apple has just released a new update for AirPort Extreme base stations. The update includes general fixes, security improvements and...
 

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algal

Gruber linked to a good write-up of the change in the default IPv6 configuration: http://www.karppinen.fi/2007/04/17/turning-a-feature-into-a-flaw/ . It seems that the original behavior was intentional, and regarded as a feature not a flaw by some of the more technically m inded

April 23 2007 at 6:58 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bob

In answer to #1, the VPN fix question: YES - hallelujah!

See the bottom of the Apple forum thread at http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=836746

April 13 2007 at 11:14 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
E-Rock

No worries, Dave.

I'm surprised as well that Software Update doesn't catch these updates. Before this update, I didn't even know that Airport had it's own little software update, I just assumed that it'd come through the central one.

April 12 2007 at 10:35 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
David Chartier

Eh, please accept my apologies E-Rock. I've been dealing with trolls and some personal issues the last few days and I jumped the gun in thinking your comment was meant in the same condescending way.

To take another crack at a more rational reply: yea, you're right. This was the update released on April 9th, apparently. I'm actually kind of surprised that Software Update doesn't pick those up, even though they're technically software for a router instead of the Mac.

April 12 2007 at 2:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
E-Rock

whoa, hey! sorry, it seems like i ruined your day. i was honestly just checking. i wanted to make sure that my airport wasn't being wacky and not seeing an update.

April 12 2007 at 1:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
vannigan

"I hope we didn't ruin your day."

No need for the tone, Dave. It wasn't obvious to me either. E-rock was being sincere.

April 12 2007 at 1:25 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
David Chartier

#7: Yes, it was technically released on the 9th. We didn't catch it then, now we did. Is that ok? Believe it or not, sometimes these things slip past websites and blogs. I hope we didn't ruin your day.

April 11 2007 at 5:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
E-Rock

Just checking, but isn't this the same update that's been out for two days already?

April 11 2007 at 3:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Alan Bedenko

I also bought one and returned it within a matter of days. It kept timing out and kicking me off, requiring a reboot of the Airport. Complete waste of money and time. Now running a D-Link router that cost 1/4 of the Airport and works beautifully.

April 11 2007 at 3:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Padriac

Eric, maybe you are making a good point but nobody can tell through the jargon and poor grammar. Links?

April 11 2007 at 2:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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