Google's latest Android security update this February fixes several vulnerabilities on Qualcomm components, as well as the security errors for Nexus and Pixel devices. It also includes the worrisome problem about the remote code execution.
The android security update provided the fix for remote code execution vulnerabilities. It also dealt with several privilege elevation vulnerabilities which has something to do with Qualcomm components such as the kernel level of its cryptography driver. It also include minor fixes on some less critical issues with the Bluetooth and Nvidia driver.
As mentioned by Android Headlines, all the updates are merely "security" patches, and does not affect any other components of the system. The vulnerabilities mentioned can be simplified in terms of email, web browsing, and MMS. The Android security update included two different patches this month - the 2017-02-01 and 2017-02-05.
The first one, the 2017-02-01 outlines two critical fixes. The Android security update is designed to protect code execution made in Media Server and Surfaceflinger. The 2017-02-05 on the other hand includes the specific fix for the Qualcomm components. Details include elevated privileges for kernel file system, Nvidia GPU driver, Broadcom Wi-Fi driver, and networking subsystem.
Though the specific mentions are pertained to Qualcomm, it also address other problems with the Mediatek components as well. But the Android security fix rolled-out was specifically for Nexus and Pixel devices only. For other phone brands, the roll-out may come a bit later, depending on their manufacturers' schedule.
However, according to XDA Developers, Blackberry also rolled-out their very own Android security patch update for their Android-running devices. It addressed the similar errors found in the Nexus and Pixel, specifically the critical privilege elevation and remote code vulnerabilities.
The complete details regarding the Android security update this February is outlined on Google's February Android Security Bulletin. Overall, there are 14 devices who already received the patch.
