Force Macs to run Xprotect updater through terminal to get latest NTPD security patch

Apple released the the patch for an NTPD hole. This patch is automatically updated if you have SystemPreferences-->App Store-->Install system data files and security updates; checked. Which we don't.

You used to be able to run in terminal the command:

/usr/libexec/XProtectUpdater

this would force a check for updates to xprotect.

It seems this command no longer exist in 10.9 and above, is there any other way to force a mac to run the data files and security updates through terminal? Otherwise a solution to turn on just the check box for "Install system data files and security updates" and leave the rest uncheck.

Apple NTPD patch


Check out this post at macops.ca.

Using:

/usr/bin/sudo softwareupdate --background-critical

seems to be the answer.