Pixel / Nexus Security Bulletin—October 2018

Published October 1, 2018

The Pixel / Nexus Security Bulletin contains details of security vulnerabilities and functional improvements affecting supported Google Pixel and Nexus devices (Google devices). For Google devices, security patch levels of 2018-10-05 or later address all issues in this bulletin and all issues in the October 2018 Android Security Bulletin. To learn how to check a device's security patch level, see Check & update your Android version.

All supported Google devices will receive an update to the 2018-10-05 patch level. We encourage all customers to accept these updates to their devices.

Note: The Google device firmware images are available on the Google Developer site.

Announcements

There are no Pixel or Nexus security patches in the October 2018 Pixel / Nexus Security Bulletin.

Functional patches

These updates are included for affected Pixel devices to address functionality issues not related to the security of Pixel devices. The table includes associated references; the affected category, such as Bluetooth or mobile data; improvements; and affected devices.

References Category Improvements Devices
A-112486006 Media Improved performance for certain protected media formats Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL
A-112529920 Power Improved fast-charging behavior for Pixel devices Pixel, Pixel XL
A-79643956 Stability Improved stability when using Android Auto Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL
A-111467967 Performance Modified Call Screening behavior when using Maps Navigation All

Common questions and answers

This section answers common questions that may occur after reading this bulletin.

1. How do I determine if my device is updated to address these issues?

Security patch levels of 2018-10-05 or later address all issues associated with the 2018-10-05 security patch level and all previous patch levels. To learn how to check a device's security patch level, read the instructions on the Pixel and Nexus update schedule.

2. What do the entries in the Type column mean?

Entries in the Type column of the vulnerability details table reference the classification of the security vulnerability.

Abbreviation Definition
RCE Remote code execution
EoP Elevation of privilege
ID Information disclosure
DoS Denial of service
N/A Classification not available

3. What do the entries in the References column mean?

Entries under the References column of the vulnerability details table may contain a prefix identifying the organization to which the reference value belongs.

Prefix Reference
A- Android bug ID
QC- Qualcomm reference number
M- MediaTek reference number
N- NVIDIA reference number
B- Broadcom reference number

4. What does a * next to the Android bug ID in the References column mean?

Issues that are not publicly available have a * next to the Android bug ID in the References column. The update for that issue is generally contained in the latest binary drivers for Pixel / Nexus devices available from the Google Developer site.

5. Why are security vulnerabilities split between this bulletin and the Android Security Bulletins?

Security vulnerabilities that are documented in the Android Security Bulletins are required to declare the latest security patch level on Android devices. Additional security vulnerabilities, such as those documented in this bulletin are not required for declaring a security patch level.

Versions

Version Date Notes
1.0 October 1, 2018 Bulletin published.