Critical Android Vulnerabilities Patched: Update Your Device Immediately

TL;DR

Google has released critical security patches for Android devices, addressing six vulnerabilities, including two critical ones that could allow remote code execution without user interaction. Users are strongly advised to update their devices immediately to protect against potential exploits. This article provides detailed information on the vulnerabilities, how to check for updates, and additional security measures.

Critical Android Vulnerabilities Patched: Update Your Device Immediately

Google has recently patched six vulnerabilities in Android, including two critical vulnerabilities detailed in its August 2025 Android Security Bulletin. These updates are crucial as they address a critical vulnerability that could allow an attacker to execute code on a victim’s device without any user interaction.

Background

Last month, Google skipped its monthly security update for the first time in nearly a decade. Typically, dozens of vulnerabilities are addressed each month, making the skip both welcome and slightly concerning. During this period, Google reported that its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Big Sleep system discovered 20 vulnerabilities in various open-source software ¹.

Availability of Updates

The August updates are available for Android versions 13, 14, 15, and 16. Android vendors are notified of these issues at least a month before publication; however, this does not always mean that patches are immediately available for all devices ².

How to Check for Updates

To ensure your device is protected, follow these steps to check for updates:

1. Open your Settings app.
2. Navigate to About phone or About device.
3. Tap on Software updates to check for new updates.
4. If your Android phone shows a patch level of 2025-08-05 or later, the issues are considered fixed.

Keeping your device updated is essential for protecting against known vulnerabilities and staying safe.

Technical Information

CVE-2025-48530

The critical Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-48530, is a vulnerability in the Android System. This could lead to remote code execution in combination with other bugs, without requiring additional execution privileges or user interaction. This vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects Android version 16 and poses the risk of silent device compromise ³.

CVE-2025-21479

Another critical vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-21479, involves unauthorized command execution in the GPU micronode, which can cause memory corruption while executing specific sequences of commands. A GPU micronode is a small, specialized part within the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) that handles specific tasks related to processing and rendering graphics on Android devices. This component is crucial for smooth and correct visual performance ⁴.

Researchers recently discovered serious vulnerabilities in the GPU micronode of Qualcomm’s Adreno GPUs, which power billions of Android devices. Qualcomm has identified three such vulnerabilities, and this patch fixes the second one they warned about ⁵.

Additional Security Measures

Cybersecurity risks should never be taken lightly. To keep threats off your mobile devices, consider downloading Malwarebytes for iOS and Malwarebytes for Android for enhanced protection.

Conclusion

Staying updated with the latest security patches is crucial for protecting your Android device from potential vulnerabilities. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure your device is secure and up-to-date. Always be proactive about your device’s security to stay safe in an increasingly digital world.

References

1. Google. (2025). “August 2025 Android Security Bulletin”. Android Open Source Project. Retrieved 2025-08-05. ↩︎

2. Malwarebytes. (2022). “Android users are facing a double patch gap”. Malwarebytes Labs. Retrieved 2025-08-05. ↩︎

3. MITRE. (2025). “CVE-2025-48530”. CVE. Retrieved 2025-08-05. ↩︎

4. MITRE. (2025). “CVE-2025-21479”. CVE. Retrieved 2025-08-05. ↩︎

5. Qualcomm. (2025). “June 2025 Security Bulletin”. Qualcomm. Retrieved 2025-08-05. ↩︎