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Firefox 3.5.4 closes security holes

The newest version of Mozilla's browser fixes six critical holes. Also released: the corresponding Firefox 3.0.14.

Stephen Shankland Former Principal Writer
Stephen Shankland worked at CNET from 1998 to 2024 and wrote about processors, digital photography, AI, quantum computing, computer science, materials science, supercomputers, drones, browsers, 3D printing, USB, and new computing technology in general. He has a soft spot in his heart for standards groups and I/O interfaces. His first big scoop was about radioactive cat poop.
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Stephen Shankland

Mozilla released Firefox 3.5.4 for Windows, Mac, and Linux on Tuesday to patch six critical security holes and some other problems.

The new browser version also improves stability and fixes a problem with clearing browser history, according to the release notes. Mozilla updated the corresponding version of its earlier browser to fix some of the same security problems by issuing Firefox 3.0.15.

The six vulnerabilities potentially could let remote attackers take over the computer by running their own software on the machine. For details, check the Firefox security site.

Meanwhile, Mozilla is on the brink of releasing the first beta of Firefox 3.6, a version that will add the Personas feature for a customizable look. Mozilla, trying to move to a faster Firefox release cycle, is debating whether to issue 3.6 as a minor release that arrives automatically or a major release that people must actively download.

Also Tuesday, Mozilla released SeaMonkey 2.0, which combines the Firefox browser and Thunderbird e-mail software into an all-in-one package. It uses Firefox 3.5.4.