More drama with Apple's AirPort security

Apple released updates to their wireless networking drivers last week and they appear to have created more questions than they answered with it.

AirPort Update 2006-001 (version 1.0) was released to "improves AirPort reliability on Macintosh computers" and is only for Apple's AirPort Extreme cards. An AirPort security update was also included in Security Update 2006-005.

Some have questioned whether Apple's wireless update was released specifically as a result of the MacBook WiFi hack that was shown by David Maynor and Jon "Johnny Cache" Ellch at the Black Hat conference in Las Vegas last month.

According to CNET reporter Joris Evers "Apple's security patches are not related to the Black Hat presentation."

ZDNet's own George Ou has defended the hacking duo and asked Apple some tough questions that have yet to be answered. He's even asking readers for questions he should ask the duo at a conference that opens Friday in San Diego. Judging by the 143+ TalkBack comments he appears to have hit a nerve.

According to Engadget, Apple claims that Maynor and Ellch's employer (SecureWorks) hasn't shown them any specific information "however, on its own, Apple discovered a problem, then released security and wireless patches."

Wi-Fi Net News' Glenn Fleishman notes that Maynor and Ellch are scheduled to speak at Toorcon 8 in San Diego on 29 September 2006. From the Talk Details on the Toorcon Web site:

This presentation won't be a typical as it will cover the complete story, but it will also offer analysis and commentary of public responses while at the same time giving anyone who has a question a chance to have it answered.

Hopefully we'll finally get to put this issue to bed.