Mac OS X Server v10.5, v10.6: Cache file grows out of bounds when using authenticated web proxy

Products Affected

Mac OS X Server 10.5, Mac OS X Server 10.6

Symptoms

A cache file may grow out of bounds when Server Admin checks for server software updates from behind an authenticated web proxy. This issue affects Mac OS X Server v10.5 and Mac OS X Server v10.6. In some situations, the cache file may rapidly fill all free space on the boot volume and cause the server unexpectedly stop or restart.

Note: The cache file is located at /var/root/Library/Caches/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate/Cache.db and is used by the softwareupdate command-line utility to store lists of updates available for the server. Server Admin periodically checks for new software updates by running the softwareupdate command-line utility.

Resolution

Mac OS X Server v10.6

Download and install the Mac OS X Server v10.6.2 update. You can read more about the Mac OS X Server v10.6.2 Update in About the Mac OS X Server v10.6.2 Update.
 

Mac OS X Server v10.5

Follow the best practices recommended in the proxy section of the following article: Mac OS X Server v10.4 or later: Requirements for Software Update Service. Allow Mac OS X Server v10.5 to directly access the public software update servers documented in the article.

If you are unable to follow the best practices in the aforementioned article, Apple recommends that you rename the softwareupdate binary to prevent its use by Server Admin. You will be able to check for and install new updates by using Software Update from the Apple menu.

Use the following Terminal command to rename the softwareupdate utility:

sudo mv /usr/sbin/softwareupdate /usr/sbin/softwareupdate.bin

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