hoakley May 23, 2022 Macs, Technology, Updates

Current firmware and security data software versions updated

Following last week’s updates, I have now completed updating my databases and listings of current Mac firmware for all models supported by macOS 10.15 and later, as well as security data updates.

These are directly accessed by my free utility SilentKnight, which uses data in my GitHub files. You’re also welcome to access those directly, provided that it’s not for commercial purposes (should you wish to do that, please contact me).

LockRattler contains links to summary pages here:

I also maintain detailed listings of current firmware versions in these pages:

and details of security data files and versions:

I hope that you find these useful.

A reminder: the only way to update a Mac’s firmware now is through a macOS installer or updater. SilentKnight can’t perform firmware updates. What it does is alert you if your Mac’s firmware is out of date, and lists any macOS updates or security updates available. You shouldn’t use the app to download and install macOS updates, but use Software Update, which is designed for that purpose.

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1

pixelpaddler on May 23, 2022 at 9:41 pm

Appreciate SilentKnight. Fast, complete. Thank you.

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2

EcleX on May 24, 2022 at 6:16 am

Thanks for the great work. Much appreciated!

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- 3
  
  hoakley on May 24, 2022 at 8:36 am
  
  Thank you.
  Howard.
  
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4

EcleX on June 3, 2022 at 5:39 pm

In a Mac model that cannot be upgraded further to Big Sur or Monterey, macOS Catalina Security Update 2022-004 10.15.7 breaks File Sharing. You cannot select it in “Apple – System Preferences – Sharing – File Sharing”. Clicking over it does not select it. It blinks, but does not get selected.

No problem in macOS 10.15.7 (19H15) Catalina. The issue arises after installing the above security update that brings macOS 10.15.7 (19H1922) Catalina. Confirmed reinstalling macOS (Option Command R at booting) which updates to macOS 10.15.7 (19H15) Catalina, which works OK with file sharing. But updating then to macOS 10.15.7 (19H1922) Catalina generates the problem again.

Some macOS security updates have also broken file sharing in the past. For instance:
Repair file sharing after Security Update 2017-001 for macOS High Sierra 10.13.1
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208317

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- 5
  
  hoakley on June 3, 2022 at 5:42 pm
  
  Thank you. I presume that you have filed a report with Apple?
  Howard.
  
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  - 6
    
    EcleX on June 3, 2022 at 7:11 pm
    
    Yes. Hopefully, Apple will fix it because this might be the last update for Catalina. What surprises me is that it seems that nobody has reported that on Internet. Maybe it is related to some Mac models only.
    
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    - 7
      
      hoakley on June 3, 2022 at 7:21 pm
      
      You seem to be having many problems with file-sharing recently, which is odd for a service which normally just works.
      Howard.
      
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    - 8
      
      EcleX on June 4, 2022 at 6:37 am
      
      File sharing works great in all instances, except two cases:
      
      – When updating to Catalina, as reported above (cannot select File Sharing it in System Preferences). Downgrading macOS works OK as said.
      
      – In MacBook Pro without Ethernet port, when using four different units of the black (Belkin) and white (Apple) USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapte (such Mac’s disk cannot be mounted on other Mac of the local network). Confirmed by Belkin.
      
      So, it seems that such issues are due to macOS and the adapter, respectively.
      
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    - 9
      
      hoakley on June 4, 2022 at 8:34 am
      
      So lightning does strike twice. Perhaps an appropriate time of year!
      Howard.
      
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    - 10
      
      EcleX on June 4, 2022 at 6:12 pm
      
      I think that this is going to surprise you…
      
      The bug is even more amazing. I have erased an external SSD and installed macOS Catalina on it, which is macOS 10.15.7 (19H15). It contains no third-party software and no user data. File Sharing works fine, as previously reported (I can turn it on and off). But I did not turn it off and updated with macOS Catalina Security Update 2022-004 10.15.7, which generates macOS 10.15.7 (19H1922). Amazingly, now File Sharing works, but I cannot turn it off.
      
      Therefore, such security update freezes the previous File Sharing setting. If it was off, you cannot turn it on. If it was on, you cannot turn it off.
      
      Amazing.
      
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    - 11
      
      hoakley on June 4, 2022 at 7:15 pm
      
      Thank you.
      That sounds like a property list somewhere is getting inadvertently locked down following that security update.
      I would expect Apple to issue at least one further SU for Catalina before it becomes completely unsupported. Maybe that will fix it, but with some of these issues, it may be so infrequent that Apple doesn’t notice the problem.
      I’m not sure where the offending plist might be – network and sharing settings aren’t straightforward. But I’d be tempted to try to work that out if I were you, in case it doesn’t get fixed.
      Howard.
      
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    - 12
      
      EcleX on June 4, 2022 at 9:51 pm
      
      Thanks. I got a reply from Apple requesting the sysdiagnose. I have sent them both the one with macOS 10.15.7 (19H15) Catalina in which File Sharing works OK, and the one with macOS 10.15.7 (19H1922) Catalina, that locks File Sharing. Hopefully, they fill fix it soon.
      
      You know, the more complex macOS gets, the more things it can do, but the more issues may arise. Like with living creatures… the more complex they are, the more things they can do as well, like humans compared to bacteria, but also the more diseases they can get… including death (bacteria are immortal). But that is another topic…
      
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    - 13
      
      hoakley on June 5, 2022 at 8:35 pm
      
      Well, more sophisticated organisms are also self-healing, which could be quite useful. And we all die, anyway.
      Howard.
      
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