Google Releases April Android Update to Address Two Zero
Vulnerabilities mentionedAll →
| CVE | Vulnerability | CVSS | EPSS | Flags | Affected | Exposure | Published |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVE-2024-50302 | Kernel Memory Leak via Uninitialized HID Report Buffer in Linux Kernel CVE-2024-50302 is a use of uninitialized resource flaw (CWE-908) in the Linux kernel's HID (Human Interface Device) core, where the shared report buffer was not zero-initialized at allocation. An attacker can trigger it by getting the kernel to process a specially crafted HID report, causing uninitialized kernel memory to be exposed to the requesting driver. The impact is an information disclosure: a local attacker, or a malicious/malfunctioning HID device, could leak kernel memory contents, which could in turn aid further attacks. Because nearly all Linux-based systems compile in HID support, affected code is present in Linux distributions, Android, and Siemens industrial products (SIMATIC S7-1500 TM MFP firmware and SINEC OS). The vulnerability is being actively exploited: CISA added it to the KEV catalog on 2025-03-04, and it is among the actively exploited flaws addressed in Google's March 2025 Android security update. Do: Apply the fixes per vendor channels: install the March 2025 Android security update on Android devices (it is listed as actively exploited and is in CISA KEV, required under BOD 22-01 for federal agencies), and apply Debian kernel updates and Siemens (SIMATIC S7-1500 TM MFP firmware / SINEC OS) updates once issued. Operators should inventory systems running Linux kernels with the HID core (most systems) and prioritize patching, since a local attacker or malicious USB HID device can leak kernel memory; the fix zero-initializes the HID report buffer and is included in current stable kernel branches. | 5.5 | <1% | KEV |
| massBillions of devices ship affected Linux kernel HID code (Linux runs on ~3+ billion Android devices plus millions of servers, desktops, and industrial systems),… | |
| CVE-2024-53104 | Out-of-Bounds Write in Linux Kernel UVC Video Driver (CVE-2024-53104) CVE-2024-53104 is an out-of-bounds write (CWE-787) in the Linux kernel's uvcvideo (USB Video Class) driver: uvc_parse_format does not skip frames of type UVC_VS_UNDEFINED, but those frame types were not accounted for when sizing the frames buffer in uvc_parse_streaming. The flaw is triggered when the kernel parses format/frame descriptors from a USB camera device, so a crafted or nonconforming USB video descriptor can corrupt adjacent kernel memory. An attacker with local, low-privileged access (CVSS 3.1: AV:L/AC:L/PR:L, 7.8 High) can gain kernel memory corruption with high impact to confidentiality, integrity and availability, typically yielding local privilege escalation. Any Linux system or Android device running a kernel that ships the UVC driver is in scope, including Debian and other distributions built from affected kernel sources. Exploitation is confirmed in the wild: the vulnerability was added to CISA's KEV on 2025-02-05, Google fixed it as an actively exploited flaw in the March 2025 Android Security Update, and EPSS currently estimates a 3.4% (88th percentile) probability of exploitation over the next 30 days. Do: Upgrade to a Linux kernel version that contains the uvcvideo fix (apply updated kernel packages from your distribution, e.g. Debian), and for Android devices install the March 2025 Android Security Bulletin patches or later. Follow the CISA KEV required action by applying vendor mitigations or discontinuing use if patches are unavailable. To gauge exposure on unpatched hosts, check whether the UVC driver is loaded (e.g. 'lsmod | grep uvcvideo') and restrict untrusted USB video devices until patched. | 7.8 | 3% | KEV |
| masshundreds of millions of Linux/Android installations potentially carrying the vulnerable driver (Linux kernel runs on billions of devices and the UVC driver… | |
| CVE-2024-53150 | Out-of-Bounds Read in Linux Kernel ALSA USB Audio Driver CVE-2024-53150 is an out-of-bounds read (CWE-125) in the Linux kernel's ALSA USB-audio driver, which fails to validate the bLength field of USB audio class (UAC2/UAC3) clock source, selector, and multiplier descriptors while traversing them. It is triggered when a device presents a malformed/bogus clock descriptor with a bLength shorter than expected, causing the kernel to read beyond the descriptor buffer; an attacker with local access (e.g., by plugging in a malicious USB audio device) could gain partial kernel memory disclosure or crash the system (CVSS 3.1: 7.1, confidentiality high, availability high). Any Linux deployment whose kernel includes the affected ALSA USB-audio clock-source handling is affected, including Debian releases shipping such kernels. CISA added the flaw to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2025-04-09, indicating exploitation in the wild, though no public proof-of-concept is known and ransomware association is unconfirmed. Do: Apply updated kernel packages from your distribution (e.g., Debian security updates) that include the ALSA USB-audio clock descriptor validation fix, and reboot to load the patched kernel; CISA KEV requires applying vendor mitigations per BOD 22-01 timelines or discontinuing use if mitigations are unavailable. Until patched, restrict untrusted physical/hotplug access to USB ports on affected systems. Check your current kernel version and confirm with the vendor that the clock-source descriptor sanity-check patch is included. | 7.1 | 1% | KEV |
| masshundreds of millions of Linux systems potentially affected (Linux ubiquity), though only those where USB audio devices can be connected are practically… | |
| CVE-2024-53197 | Out-of-Bounds Write in Linux Kernel ALSA USB Audio Driver (CVE-2024-53197) CVE-2024-53197 is an out-of-bounds access/write (CWE-787) in the Linux kernel's USB configuration handling, tied to the ALSA usb-audio driver's handling of Creative Extigy and Mbox devices. A malicious or bogus USB device that reports a bNumConfigurations value larger than the array allocated by usb_get_configuration causes the kernel to access memory beyond the end of dev->config, for example in usb_destroy_configuration. An attacker with local access — or the ability to plug a crafted USB audio device into a target — could corrupt or disclose kernel memory, with high impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CVSS 7.8, local vector), typically as privilege escalation or a kernel crash. Any Linux deployment running a kernel with the vulnerable code is affected, including Debian systems. The flaw was added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2025-04-09, indicating known exploitation in the wild, though no public proof-of-concept is known and ransomware use is unconfirmed. Do: Update the Linux kernel to a vendor release containing the CVE-2024-53197 fix — for Debian, install the current kernel security update and reboot; other distributions ship the patched kernel in their stable updates. Because exploitation requires a malicious USB audio device, restrict use of untrusted USB peripherals on sensitive or internet-adjacent hosts. Organizations subject to CISA BOD 22-01 must remediate this KEV-listed flaw per the required actions or discontinue use where mitigations are unavailable. | 7.8 | 4% | KEV |
| massmillions of Linux installations (kernel ubiquity across desktops, servers, and Debian; practically reachable only on hosts that accept untrusted USB audio… |
Full article439 words · extracted from infosecurity-magazine.com · click to collapse
A new Android security update from Google has patched 62 vulnerabilities, including two zero-day flaws that were being actively exploited.
The high-severity issues – tracked as CVE-2024-53150 and CVE-2024-53197 – were found in the Linux kernel’s USB sub-component and could be used to escalate privileges or access sensitive information without user interaction.
CVE-2024-53197 is a privilege escalation bug, while CVE-2024-53150 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that may lead to data exposure. Both carry a CVSS score of 7.8 and were initially fixed in the Linux kernel in December 2024.
Google confirmed that the two issues may have been exploited in “limited, targeted” attacks.
“These are both flaws in the kernel – the core part of the OS that acts as an intermediary between hardware and software,” said Adam Boynton, senior security strategy manager EMEIA at Jamf.
“CVE-2024-53150 would allow an attacker to access sensitive information without user interaction, while CVE-2024-53197 could lead to memory corruption or even privilege escalation if exploited by attackers.”
Vulnerabilities Linked to Cellebrite Exploits
One of the patched vulnerabilities, CVE-2024-53197, has been linked to an exploit chain used by Cellebrite, an Israeli digital forensics firm.
According to Amnesty International, Cellebrite leveraged the flaw alongside CVE-2024-53104 and CVE-2024-50302 to gain access to the phone of a Serbian activist in December 2024.
All three vulnerabilities have now been addressed through recent Android updates.
Google did not share specific details about the real-world use of CVE-2024-53150, though researchers believe it may have been part of the same exploit chain.
The security-focused GrapheneOS project has also indicated similarities between the vulnerabilities.
“These CVEs are public [now],” Boynton added. “More attackers are likely to target devices that have not yet been updated.”
Fixes for 60 Additional Vulnerabilities
In addition to the two zero-days, Google’s April 2025 update includes fixes for 60 other vulnerabilities across various Android components. These include:
- 28 issues addressed in the 2025-04-01 patch level, covering System and Framework
- 31 additional vulnerabilities in the 2025-04-05 patch level, targeting Kernel, Qualcomm, MediaTek and other third-party components
There are no new patches in this cycle for Automotive OS or Wear OS
“With two vulnerabilities currently being exploited by cybercriminals, it’s absolutely essential that Android users update their devices immediately,” Boynton said.
“Although this is a targeted attack, we strongly recommend that all users update their Android OS.”
Pixel devices will receive the updates first, with other manufacturers like Samsung, OnePlus and Motorola expected to follow soon. Google says the patches were distributed to partners in January.
Image credit: Primakov / Shutterstock.com
Text extracted automatically; images, tables and formatting may be missing. Original: https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/android-update-address-two-zero/