Apple Pushes Silent macOS Update to Remove 'Secret' Zoom Web Server

Although unnecessary, it is a seamless fix for Zoom security flaw.

Advertisement
By Gaurav Shukla | Updated: 11 July 2019 12:06 IST
Highlights
  • Apple update doesn’t require user interaction
  • It will automatically be installed on connected Mac computers
  • It is a rare step by Apple against a known company
Apple Pushes Silent macOS Update to Remove 'Secret' Zoom Web Server

Zoom is now readying an updated version of its app to fix "video on by default" feature

Apple has released a silent macOS update to remove the controversial local Web server installed by Zoom for Mac app. Although Zoom had released an emergency patch to remove the Web server, it seems Apple did not want to wait for the users to install the patch. Being a silent update, it will automatically remove the Web server on Mac computers without the need of any user interaction. According to a report, Zoom worked with Apple to release the silent update.

“We're happy to have worked with Apple on testing this update,” a Zoom spokesperson told TechCrunch. “We expect the Web server issue to be resolved today. We appreciate our users' patience as we continue to work through addressing their concerns.”

Although Apple's action was unnecessary, it is a seamless fix and puts an end to a part of the Zoom debacle. The issue will be completely fixed when Zoom released an updated version of its app this weekend that will start to save the video preference of its users, rather than forcing users to choose it every single time.

“With this release, first-time users who select “Always turn off my video” will automatically have their video preference saved,” Zoom CEO Eric S. Yuan said in a statement. “The selection will automatically be applied to the user's Zoom client settings and their video will be OFF by default for all future meetings. (Returning users can update their video preferences and make video OFF by default at any time through the Zoom client settings.)”

Advertisement

While Apple does push silent updates to thwart known malware, it is rare for the company to take such an action against a known company. Apple told TechCrunch that it pushed the update to protect users from the risks posed by the exposed Web server.

The whole Zoom saga started earlier this week when a security researcher Jonathan Leitschuh revealed how Zoom for Mac app include a Zero-Day vulnerability, which could potentially allow an attacker to forcibly join a Mac user to a video call with video enabled. Leitschuh also noted that Zoom was installing a local Web server on Mac computers to sidestep a Safari feature, allowing the company or an attacker to install Zoom app without user interaction on Mac.

 

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

Further reading: Zoom, Apple, macOS
Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. Amazon Prime Day Sale: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Discount Revealed
  2. Realme 15 Pro 5G Leaked Render Shows Design Ahead of India Launch
  3. Infinix Hot 60 5G+ to Launch in India on This Day With a One Tap AI Button
  4. Samsung Smart Monitor M9 Launched in India Alongside Updated M8, M7 Models
  5. Honor X70 Key Specifications Tipped Ahead of Launch
  6. Honor X9c 5G With 6,600mAh Battery Launched in India: Price, Features
  7. Lumio Arc 5, Arc 7 Projectors Launched in India: Price and Specifications
  8. Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Series, Ultra 2 Specifications Leak Ahead of Debut
  9. Xiaomi Compact Power Bank 20,000mAh Launched in India: Price, Features
  10. Lava Blaze AMOLED 5G Listed Online; Specifications Revealed
  1. Realme 15 Pro 5G Leaked Render Shows Design Ahead of India Launch
  2. Samsung Smart Monitor M9 With QD-OLED Display Launched in India Alongside Refreshed M8, M7 Models
  3. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Said to Get 16GB RAM, Improved Telephoto Lens, More
  4. Xiaomi Compact Power Bank 20,000mAh Launched in India With Built-In Cable: Price, Features
  5. Forza Motorsport Team 'No More', Romero Games 'Completely Closed' Following Microsoft Cuts
  6. Honor X70 Tipped to Launch With an 8,300mAh Battery, Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 SoC
  7. iPhone 15 to Get a Discount During Amazon Prime Day 2025 Sale: Price Revealed
  8. Realme 15 Series to Feature AI Edit Genie, a Voice-Enabled Photo Editing Tool
  9. Amazon India Is Bringing Rufus AI Assistant to Desktop, to Help Users During Prime Day Sale 2025
  10. Amazon Prime Day Sale 2025: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra to Be Available Under Rs. 80,000
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2025. All rights reserved.