Security Update 2006-003 (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303737) was published on Apple's Web site and includes software fixes for holes in OS X, the Safari Web browser, and Mac components for viewing image and video files.

Also included are fixes for a number of security flaws publicized by independent researcher Tom Ferris in April. However, Ferris says the latest patch doesn't cover other critical holes he reported to Apple, and that he may soon publish the details of those flaws, too.

An Apple spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The patches, which come two days after Microsoft released its monthly security fixes, underscore the changing security climate for Mac systems, which are a small fraction of the computer population, but are under increasing scrutiny for security holes.

Among the flaws Apple fixed are an integer overflow in the processing of JPEG files by OS X systems prior to Version 10.4 that could allow attackers to harbor malicious code in image files; the code executes when the file is viewed.