Google Releases May Android Security Update: Fixes 46 Flaws, Including High-Severity Vulnerability Exploited in the Wild

Posted on by Techpad AI

Google’s May Security Update: A Critical Fix for Android Users

In its latest monthly security update, Google has released a critical patch for Android devices, addressing 46 security flaws, including a high-severity vulnerability that has been exploited in the wild. This vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-27363, is a serious issue that could lead to local code execution without requiring any additional execution privileges. In this post, we’ll dive into the details of this vulnerability and the other security flaws fixed in the May update.

The Vulnerability in Question: CVE-2025-27363

CVE-2025-27363 is a high-severity flaw in the System component of Android, which could allow attackers to execute code on a device without needing any additional privileges. This vulnerability is rooted in the FreeType open-source font rendering library and was first disclosed by Facebook in March 2025. It’s an out-of-bounds write flaw that could result in code execution when parsing TrueType GX and variable font files. The good news is that the issue has been remediated in FreeType versions higher than 2.13.0.

The Impact of CVE-2025-27363

The vulnerability has been described as being under limited, targeted exploitation, but the exact specifics of the attacks are still unknown. Google has acknowledged that there are indications of exploitation, but it’s unclear how widespread the attacks are. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has added CVE-2025-27363 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, requiring federal agencies to apply the patches by May 27, 2025.

Other Security Flaws Fixed in the May Update

In addition to CVE-2025-27363, the May update resolves eight other flaws in the Android System and 15 flaws in the Framework module. These flaws could be abused to facilitate privilege escalation, information disclosure, and denial-of-service attacks. Google encourages all users to update to the latest version of Android where possible, as exploitation for many issues on Android is made more difficult by enhancements in newer versions of the Android platform.

Actionable Insights and Recommendations

  • Update your Android device to the latest version as soon as possible to ensure you have the latest security patches.
  • Be cautious when opening font files or parsing TrueType GX and variable font files, as this vulnerability could be exploited through these means.
  • Keep your device’s software up to date, as this will help prevent exploitation of other security flaws.
  • Consider implementing additional security measures, such as a mobile security app, to provide an extra layer of protection.

Conclusion

The May security update from Google is a critical fix for Android users, addressing a high-severity vulnerability that has been exploited in the wild. It’s essential to update your device to the latest version of Android to ensure you have the latest security patches. Remember to be cautious when opening font files or parsing TrueType GX and variable font files, and consider implementing additional security measures to provide an extra layer of protection. Stay safe, and stay informed!

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