Some firmware updates offer 3D support, others include XrossMediaBar improvements, while there are those that are more mysterious. Today's 3.42 firmware update falls squarely into the latter category. The update is mandatory for users wishing to access PlayStation Network features, "addresses security vulnerability in the system software," according to Sony's European Play Station blog.  It also follows the release last month of the PlayStation 3's first commercially available hacking device.

However, sales of the device were temporaity halted by Australia’s federal court until September 3, and then indefinitely banned in the region last week. A Justice ordered all sales and preorders of the device to be delivered directly to Sony Computer Entertainment, whose European and Australian arms had initiated the legal action against distributors of the device.

Both Sony's European and  US PlayStation blogs are reporting that the 3.42 update is available for download now in their respective territories. Sony Europe reports no other features as part of the update, and PS3 owners will need a minimum of 168MB of free space on either the PS3 HDD or removable storage media to install it.