Google Begins Rolling Out May Security Patch To Pixel & Nexus Devices

Ahead of I/O 2018, Google has started rolling out the May security patch to the Pixel and Nexus devices. Here are the build numbers for the updates rolling out:

• Nexus 6P (Oreo 8.1) — OPM2.171019.029.A1
• Nexus 5X (Oreo 8.1) — OPM4.171019.016.A1
• Pixel (Oreo 8.1) — OPM4.171019.016.B1
• Pixel XL (Oreo 8.1) — OPM4.171019.016.B1
• Pixel 2 (Oreo 8.1) — OPM2.171019.029.B1, OPM4.171019.016.B1 (Fi Carriers)
• Pixel 2 XL (Oreo 8.1) — OPM2.171019.029.B1, OPM4.171019.016.B1 (Fi Carriers)
• Pixel C (Oreo 8.1) — OPM4.171019.016.C1 

The Android Security Bulletin has been updated with information about the month's patch. There are fixes for seven issues in the May security patches, and vulnerabilities range from high to critical, the most severe of which allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on a device through a crafted file. Google notes that it isn't aware of any exploits of any of the security issues addressed by the May patches.

As usual, the May security patches are divided into two levels dated 2018-05-01 and 2018-05-05. The latter security patch consists of sixteen more fixes over the former patch. This means that the May 5 security patch will secure a device the most and this is the patch which the Pixel and Nexus devices are receiving.

In addition to the Android Security Bulletin, Google has a separate bulletin for the smartphones it maintains. The Pixel/Nexus Security Bulletin mentions the changes which are made to Pixel and Nexus devices in addition to the fixes for security issues. With this update, Google has improved multitouch detection on all the aforementioned devices and adjustments have been made to the charging behavior of the Pixel 2 XL.

If you have any of the aforesaid devices, you will soon be getting an update notification for the May security patch. You would also be able to pull the update manually by going to Settings > System > System update > Check for updates. Alternatively, if you are running the April security patch, you can flash the OTA images from the link given in the source. The system images should be used in case you are switching ROMs or moving from a different Android version. Flashing the OTA images won't wipe the data, but the data partition will be cleaned when installing system images. The system images can be found at the link in the source.

Source: Android Security Bulletin, Pixel/Nexus Security Bulletin, OTA images, System images

Krittin Kalra

Krittin Kalra is a 20 year old Android freak. Striving for passions, chasing down his dreams and living a life without regrets is his sole mantra. A bit moody, he also does custom ROM reviews for AndroGuider. Currently pursuing his B.Tech, he aspires to follow his heart.