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Firefox 3.0.6 targets security issues

Mozilla developers say update to popular Web browser addresses several security and stability issues.

Steven Musil Night Editor / News
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Mozilla on Tuesday released an update to Firefox for Windows, Mac, and Linux that its developers said addresses several security and stability issues in the Web browser.

Version 3.0.6 fixes six bugs, the worst of which is a JavaScript issue affecting the browser's layout engine that developers labeled as critical. The vulnerability, which also affects Mozilla's Thunderbird e-mail client and SeaMonkey Internet Suite, could allow an attacker to run unauthorized code on exploited machines, Mozilla said.

The update improves how scripted commands, such as those included with Adblock Plus, work with plug-ins. It also addresses display issues, Mozilla said.

The update comes as Firefox continues to chip away at Internet Explorer's market dominance. Internet Explorer now has 67.55 percent of global browser market share, a drop of more than 7 percentage points in a year, according to figures from Web metrics company Net Applications released Monday. Mozilla's Firefox browser, meanwhile, has gained market share in the same time frame, climbing more than 3 percentage points to 21.53 percent.