Tag: security patch

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Google’s monthly Pixel patch is missing again

Google’s regular Pixel update schedule is slipping once again. The search giant usually rolls out a security update for its Pixel line on the first Monday of every month, but it’s missed that date twice in a row now.

As noted by Android Police, the March 2023 security patch arrived a week late (and even later for Pixel 6 users). Similarly, the April update has missed the typical Monday release and it’s not clear when the update will arrive. Moreover, Google has only published some of the related documentation for the update.

These updates usually come with a post from Google on the Pixel Community forums, new factory images and OTA, an Android Security Bulletin outlining the bug fixes for the month, and a Pixle-specific security bulletin. So far, only the April Security Bulletin has emerged, though it’s worth noting it applies to all of Android and not just Pixel phones.

As has become the norm for Google, the Security Bulletin has fixes divided into two security patch levels, part of an effort to make updates easier for manufacturers to implement. The first patch level outlines fixes for 28 Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) that were recently discovered and that the patch addresses. The second level contains another 41 fixes for vendor-specific CVEs.

Of the 69 (heh, nice) total CVEs, Google deemed six of them as ‘critical,’ the worst of which is an Android System CVE that could allow a nearby attacker to execute code on a device without physical access to it and without the users’ interaction.

It remains to be seen when Google rolls out the Pixel update. Hopefully, the delay isn’t too significant this time around.

Source: April 2023 Android Security Bulletin Via: Android Police

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Mobile Syrup

March security patch starts rolling out to Pixel 6 series after delay

The March 2023 security patch is now rolling out to Google’s Pixel 6 series of phones, including the Pixel 6, 6 Pro and 6a.

The update was initially delayed, with other Pixel phones getting it on March 13th — a week later than usual. However, the Pixel 6 devices were mysteriously absent from the 13th release.

There’s some speculation that the delay was related to the first-gen Tensor chip since it’s a common element across all three Pixel 6 devices. Plus, there’s the recent revelation that exploits in Samsung-made modems could allow malicious actors to access things like phone calls or text messages using just your phone number.

A patch for the exploits rolled out in the March security update for Pixels, but since it was delayed for the Pixel 6 series, some have wondered if there was an issue related to fixing those flaws on phones with the first-gen Tensor chip.

Of course, we don’t know for sure if that’s the case, though it seems possible. Regardless, the update is rolling out now. You can get it by heading into Settings > System > System update.

Aside from security fixes, the March patch includes some changes to the appearance of Quick Settings and minor tweaks to the Pixel Launcher. There are also tons of other bugfixes for the Pixel 6 series, including extra tuning for haptics, a fix for a bug that stopped the bootloader from unlocking in certain conditions, and a fix for a problem that stopped the devices from booting to Android.

Source: 9to5Google

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Mobile Syrup

February 2023 security patch rolling out to Pixel Watch now

On the heels of Pixel phones getting the February 2023 security patch, Google is rolling out the patch for the Pixel Watch.

This time around, Google’s moving a little faster than before — in January, the Pixel Watch update came about a week after the smartphone update. Unfortunately, there’s not much exciting in the update. Google’s patch notes simply note that the update brings “the latest security patches for Pixel Watch users,” and that’s about it.

The over-the-air (OTA) update is rolling out now and will continue over the next week, but you can reportedly force the update by heading into Settings > System > System updates and repeatedly tapping the ‘Your watch is up to date’ screen (this has never worked for me, but your mileage may vary).

Android Police notes that this update once again doesn’t bring fall detection to the Pixel Watch. Google previously promised the feature would launch in the winter, but it hasn’t arrived yet — except for some lucky users who saw the feature show up.

Source: Google Via: Android Police

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Mobile Syrup

These OnePlus phones have the latest Android security patch

Getting the proper updates in a timely manner on Android has always been a nightmare, but some manufacturers like Samsung have made strides to make the system better. OnePlus, unfortunately, hasn’t made the same headway.

So far, the company has updated the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro to OxygenOS 12 with the latest Android security updates.

Beyond that, in Canada, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G and the Nord N200 5G have both gotten the latest security patches, but are still running Android 11.

Any OnePlus phones older than that are still stuck on both Android 11 and various states of security updates. This even includes OnePlus’ other major flagships like the OnePlus 8 Pro and the OnePlus 7 Pro with the pop-up selfie cam.

Source: OnePlus, 9to5Google