The Wednesday-released OS X version 10.5.8 security update by Apple would fix as many as 18 vulnerabilities, thereby dealing with issues like pertaining to handling of PNG images - specifically, ImageIO's handling of OpenEXR images, EXIF metadata, Canon RAW images and images with an embedded ColorSync profile.

While the new update will address the Mac OS X long startup time problem; it will also boost wireless networking compatibility and reliability, as well as expand support for third party devices.

Since the security fixes of Apple's OS X 10.5.8 update largely relate to the use of maliciously-crafted image files for the remote execution of an arbitrary code, they would help address all the mayhem associated with this capability.

In addition the update also fixes a couple of other problems, like - the way XML content is handled and the MobileMe signout problem.

The new security update, which comes as part of Apple's Mac OS X v10.5.8 release, puts forth a list of content types which the Mac OS X would mark as 'potentially unsafe' when downloaded from the Web.

According to Apple, the OS X 10.5.8 update will help improve the functioning of Bluetooth with external devices like USB Webcams and printers, and its compatibility with external USB hard drives. Moreover, the update will also enable RAW image support for a wider range of third party digital cameras.