Apple has released updates for QuickTime and iTunes designed to plug multiple security vulnerabilities.

The updated version (7.6.2) of QuickTime, released on Monday, addresses security bugs that create a possible mechanism for hackers to pwn either Macs or Windows PCs after tricking users into opening booby-trapped movie or audio files. The existence of one of these 10 QuickTime flaws partially disclosed with the publication of the Mac Hacker's Handbook by Charlie Miller and Dino Dai Zovi, back in March. At a talk during CanSec West, Miller said there was a flaw in the media playing software but withheld details beyond hinting at where the bug might be located.

Another Mac hacker, Damian Put, pined down the bug a month later and sold the details to 3Com’s TippingPoint security tools division for an undisclosed sum that probably ran into thousands, MacWorld reports. Apple credited both Miller and Put with identifying the bug in its advisory on the QuickTime update here.

Apple also released a fix for a stack buffer overflow bug affecting iTunes. Users are advised to upgrade to iTunes 8.2 to guard against the solitary flaw which, left ignored, creates a possible means for hackers to inject hostile code onto vulnerable systems. ®