Google today made its monthly security patches available to select Android devices. This month’s patches plug a significant number of security holes that threaten most Android devices.
Google found dozens of vulnerabilities, including a number of which classified as critical, or able to remotely execute code. Some of problems are related to specific hardware and the associated software drivers that control them. Google is pushing two separate patches to cover these vulnerabilities, one dated August 1 and the second dated August 5.
As always, Google is delivering the patches directly to its own Nexus- and Pixel-branded devices first. Google has already posted factory images for download from its web site. Google’s handsets will receive both patches in a single download. As far as Google is aware, none of these security holes have been exploited by hackers or other entities.
Google has already given the patches to its device-maker partners. Phone manufacturers are responsible for updating their own smartphones with the patches.
