Tag Archive for: Rolling

Android 14 April security patch rolling out for Pixel devices

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Google has started the rollout of its critical April 2024 security patch for Pixel phones. The update, announced in a Pixel community post, addresses numerous vulnerabilities and potential exploits. If you own a compatible Pixel device, you might have it waiting already, but wide availability will take a few weeks.The April 2024 update targets the Pixel 5a 5G and all newer Pixel models. Look for build number AP1A.240405.002 (or the .A1 variant for the Pixel Fold). Carrier and regional factors may influence when you see the update available on your device.

Google’s release notes highlight a substantial list of fixes. The update addresses eight general Android 14 vulnerabilities (dated April 1st) and an additional 20 dated April 5th. Severity levels range from high to critical. Below are the most notable ones listed in the changelog:

  

Biometrics

  • Fix for issue causing black screen to appear when unlocking screen in certain conditions (Pixel 5a 5G)

Camera

  • Fix for camera stability under certain conditions when switching between different zooms (Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel Fold)
  • Fix for issue with black halo artifacts appearing under certain conditions in the viewfinder upon transitioning from photo to video mode at 1x zoom (Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro)
  • Fix for issue where users are unable to re-expose image after tapping anywhere on the viewfinder (Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro)
  

More importantly, the company warns that two Pixel-specific flaws (CVE-2024-29745 and CVE-2024-29748), affecting the bootloader and firmware, “may be under limited, targeted exploitation.” While details are scarce, this underscores the urgency of updating your device.

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Samsung is rolling out a small update for the Galaxy S6, S6 edge and S6 edge+

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Samsung has fixed a GPS issue on several old Galaxy S models and has been delivering updates to them. And when we say “old”, we mean it – last month it was the Galaxy S8 from 2017 and the S7 from the year before. Now there is an update for an ever older series, the Galaxy S6 family from 2015.

The update has been spotted in the Netherlands and Belgium. Dutch Galaxy S6 and S6 edge that were bought from Vodafone are getting firmware versions G920FXXU6EVG1 and G925FXXU6EVG3, respectively. In Belgium, it is SIM-free Galaxy S6 and S6 edge+ that are being updated.

This should slowly expand to cover all S6 versions, carrier ones and unlocked, plus ones in other countries. If you don’t see a notification, you can check for updates manually. If you still don’t see it, you will have to arm yourself with patience.


The Samsung Galaxy S6 series is getting a small update

The Samsung Galaxy S6 series is getting a small update

The update doesn’t mention a GPS fix like it did with the Galaxy S8, though it is probably what this is. The change log only talks of stability improvements and bug fixes, “new and/or improved features” and “further performance improvements”.

It is also a much smaller update, weighing in at under 13MB, compared to 420MB update of the S8. It goes without saying that this doesn’t include a new Android version, not even a new security patch. Still, any update is a surprise given that the launched 7 and a half years ago.

The Samsung Galaxy A40 is much more recent, having hit the streets in 2019, but it’s already nearing the end of its 4 year period of guaranteed security patches. The A40 was running the July patch and is now moving up to the September one with a 280MB update (A405FNXXS4CVH1).


The Samsung Galaxy A40 is also receiving an update

The Samsung Galaxy A40 is also receiving an update

The gap is expected as the phone is currently on a quarterly update schedule. However, when it turns 4 in March 2019 it may drop down to the biannual schedule (which is home to some A-series models from 2018, but also some contemporary models like the Galaxy A30, A60, A70, A80 and A90 5G).

Source (in Dutch)

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Android 12 February security patch OTA for Pixel rolling out

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In a return to form, the Android 12 February security patch is simultaneously rolling out for the Pixel 3a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, and Pixel 6 Pro today.

There are 16 issues resolved in the Android 12 February patch dated 2022-02-01 and 21 for 2022-02-05. Vulnerabilities range from high to critical, with the most severe relating to the media framework and a remote attacker possibly executing arbitrary code through a crafted file. 

In the most recent Android Security & Privacy Year in Review, Google notes that “no critical security vulnerabilities affecting the Android platform were publicly disclosed without a security update or mitigation available for Android devices.” Additionally, there was an 84% year-over-year jump in security patches during Q4 2018 compared to the prior year.

The dedicated bulletin for Google devices lists four security fixes.

The Pixel 6 and 6 Pro get their own build (003), while all other phones are on “002.” Meanwhile, the Pixel 3 and 3 XL were also updated to the February security patch this morning in what could be its last promised patch.

  • Pixel 3 XL: Android 12 — SP1A.210812.016.B1 (Telstra, Optus, Vodafone AU), SP1A.210812.016.C1 — Factory Image (2) — OTA (2)
  • Pixel 3: Android 12 — SP1A.210812.016.B1 (Telstra, Optus, Vodafone AU), SP1A.210812.016.C1 — Factory Image (2) — OTA (2)

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Google finally rolling out Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro December security patch

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Google’s December security patch is finally rolling out to the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, according to 9to5Google and Reddit.

The update was delayed more than a week, but it’s here now and comes with 80 bug fixes and much-needed improvements.

Some of the standouts of this update include improved fingerprint sensor stability and performance, fixes for screen flickering, and full 23W wireless charging from the Pixel Stand 2.

Further, there are also some specific camera updates included as well.

  • General image quality improvements in camera preview / capture
  • General improvements for camera stability and performance
  • General improvements for auto-focus response in certain capture modes
  • General improvements for color consistency in viewfinder preview
  • Fix for issue causing blank viewfinder preview in certain conditions

You can check out the full list of fixes, here.

The patch also fixes several security vulnerabilities that ranged from moderate to high. To download the update head to ‘Settings’ > ‘System’ > ‘System update.’

It’s worth mentioning that I haven’t received the update on my Pixel 6 Pro and many others on Reddit are also waiting for the patch, so it seems as the update hasn’t hit everyone. Hopefully, it won’t take too much longer.

Source: Google (2), Via: 9to5Google

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