Google releases an Android security update every month, and the new October security patch just landed, available now for a number of devices.
As expected, Google's Nexus lineup gets front-row seats to the October Android security update, as Nexus devices are always among the first in line to get any new Android updates.
The latest software update from Google, which includes the October security patch, is now available for the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Pixel C Tablet, Nexus 9 (Wi-Fi-only), Nexus 6, Nexus Player and Nexus 5. Despite the new update, however, it's worth pointing out that the Nexus 5 and Nexus 6 remain on Android Marshmallow and not the latest Android Nougat.
Aside from the Nexus 5 and Nexus 6, all of the other devices listed above should run on Android 7.0 Nougat to get the security patch. The Nexus 6P has build number NBD90X, the Nexus 5X has NBD90W, and the Wi-Fi version of the Nexus 9 has build number NRD91D.
Google has released both OTA Images and Factory Images for download, so interested Nexus owners can easily grab the images they want to flash and get up to date on security.
This new security patch should take care of a number of high-level issues tied to various vulnerabilities, including the Elevation of privilege vulnerability in Lock Settings Service, Elevation of privilege vulnerability in ServiceManager, Elevation of privilege vulnerability in Mediaserver and others.
The patch also fixes a number of moderate-level issues in the other patch that rolled out on Oct. 1, but Google will include more fixes in the patch rolling out on Oct. 5. In addition to moderate and high security risks, the Oct. 5 patch will cover some critical-level problems such as a Kernel ASN.1 decoder vulnerability to remote code execution.
"Security has always been a major focus for Android and Google Play: Android was built from day one with security in mind. Monthly device updates are an important tool to make and keep Android users safe," Google notes.
"In general, it takes about one and a half calendar weeks for the OTA to reach every Nexus device."
Those who don't want to wait that long to get the OTA can grab either the Factory Images or the OTA Images to their Nexus device, provided they're compatible.
In addition to Nexus devices, the October Android security patch also started rolling out to the BlackBerry Priv. For the time being, the patch is rolling out to all carrier and unlocked versions of the device, except for the Verizon one. Nevertheless, the Verizon BlackBerry Priv should get the same treat soon enough.
