The May 2019 Android security update is now live and understood to be in the process of rolling out to Google Pixel phones.
As is always the case nowadays, Google rolls out a monthly update which looks to apply any patches and fixes to any vulnerabilities that are in circulation and a fix has been generated for.
The bulletin accompanying this month’s update notes the most critical patch is for a Media framework vulnerability that could potentially “enable a remote attacker using a specially crafted file to execute arbitrary code within the context of a privileged process.”
Other vulnerabilities include a framework one which might be exploited to allow a “local malicious application to bypass user interaction requirements,” as well as various “high” and “critical” vulnerabilities related to system. These are all part of the 2019-05-01 security patch.
In addition, there’s also the 2019-05-05 security patch which includes fixes related to kernel, NVIDIA, Broadcom and Qualcomm component vulnerabilities.
In regards to both patch levels, Google notes “we have had no reports of active customer exploitation or abuse of these newly reported issues.”
At present, 9.0 (Android 9 Pie) updates are listed as available for all of the Google Pixel phones: the original Pixel, the Pixel XL, the Pixel 2 and 2 XL, as well as the newer Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL smartphones.
There’s also a 8.1 (Android Marshmallow) May security update now available for the Google Pixel C tablet.
This May update has become available just before the start of Google I/O 2019. The developer-focused event is expected to see a number of Android OS announcement being made, as well as the likely officially unveiling of new additions to the Pixel phone line in the form of the Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL.
Both devices are seemingly being aimed at the mid-range sector although they are likely to straddle the mid and high segments thanks to a number of features and specs that have been directly ported over from the main Pixel 3 line.
In addition, Google I/O is also expected to include the release of the next beta version of Android Q. This will be the third beta version of Android Q following the beta 2 version that became available back at the start of April. Google has already confirmed there will be six beta versions released before the final consumer-ready version comes through in the third quarter of this year.
In the meantime, current Google Pixel 3 users can download the May update file relevant to their device from Google’s developer site. To download factory images click here or download OTA images click here.
Those interested in understanding in greater detail what’s included in the latest update, check out the corresponding Android Security Bulletin for May 2019.
Alternatively, users can simply wait until the updates are pushed to their devices or manually check now by heading into Settings, then to “System,” followed by “Advanced” and “System Update.” At which point you will be able to click on the “Check for update” button to see if the update is ready to download and be applied.