Apple today released updated versions of Java 6 for OS X, bringing additional improvements to security, reliability, and compatibility. This is a standard update to Java 6, which is distributed by Apple. Java 7 is available through Oracle.
Java for OS X 2013-005 delivers improved security, reliability, and compatibility for Java SE 6. Java for OS X 2013-005 supersedes all previous versions of Java for OS X.
This release updates the Apple-provided system Java SE 6 to version 1.6.0_65 and is for OS X versions 10.7 or later.
This update uninstalls the Apple-provided Java applet plug-in from all web browsers. To use applets on a web page, click on the region labeled "Missing plug-in" to go download the latest version of the Java applet plug-in from Oracle.
There are separate updates available for both OS X Snow Leopard and OS X Lion/Mountain Lion, which can be downloaded through the Mac App Store or from Apple’s software download site.
On its support page that explains the software update, Apple notes that multiple vulnerabilities in the previous version of Java were repaired.
Description: Multiple vulnerabilities existed in Java 1.6.0_51, the most serious of which may allow an untrusted Java applet to execute arbitrary code outside the Java sandbox. Visiting a web page containing a maliciously crafted untrusted Java applet may lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the current user. These issues were addressed by updating to Java version 1.6.0_65.
Apple has also released new printer drivers for HP and Canon printers.
Top Rated Comments
Poor Java is getting a bad name. The security issues are specific to the Java browser plug-in. Java as a language is fine.
A second reason is that Java 7 requires Lion or later, and Apple is still providing Java 6 updates for Snow Leopard. If Apple is doing Java 6 updates for Snow Leopard anyway, it is probably only a small amount of additional work to distribute them for Lion and Mountain Lion.
Oracle stopped doing public releases of Java 6 updates (e.g. for Windows) early this year - their last public version is 1.6.0_45, but Apple has subsequently released 1.6.0_51 and now 1.6.0_65. I expect Oracle are still releasing Java 6 updates to those who are paying for support, and their agreement allows Apple to release those updates to Mac users.
Once Apple stops releasing new security updates for Snow Leopard (likely to be before the end of this year), they would probably also stop updating Java 6 for Snow Leopard, and that might mean they stop updating Java 6 for Lion and later.
From Java.com:
http://www.java.com/en/download/faq/java_mac.xml
What are the system requirements for Java 7 on my Mac?
Operating system requirements: For Java 7, you will need an Intel-based Mac running Mac OS X version 10.7.3 (Lion) and above. Installing Java on a Mac is performed on a system wide basis, for all users, and administrator privileges are required. Java 7 can not be installed on a per-user basis.
Browser requirements: A 64-bit browser (Safari or Firefox, for example) is required to run Java 7 on Mac OS X. 32-bit browsers such as Chrome do not support Java 7 on the Mac platform.
And even with both Java 6 & Java 7 installed, Chrome is having troubles doing anything with Java. I love Chrome, but I do need Java support for many things and so Chrome lags behind for casual browsing while I use Safari and Firefox for productivity.