● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportMedium impact1 neutral
AndroidX Security State Libraries Enable Component-Level Security Verification
Key points
- AndroidX Security State libraries released by Google.
- Enables component-level security patch verification.
- Provides Device, Published, and Available SPLs.
- Allows apps to check for specific CVE patches.
New Granular Security Verification
Google introduced the AndroidX Security State and Security State Provider libraries. These libraries allow Android applications to verify the security patch status of individual components, moving beyond the previous reliance on a single, device-wide security patch date. This offers a more precise method for assessing the security posture of an Android device.
Three Distinct Patch Levels
The Security State library defines three patch levels: Device SPL, Published SPL, and Available SPL. Device SPL indicates the currently installed security patch level, queried directly from the system. Published SPL represents the latest patch level officially released by Google for a component. Available SPL identifies the patch level ready for download and installation on the device.
Component-Level Detail
The library distinguishes security states for core Android OS (system), OS subsystems updated via Google Play (system modules), and the kernel. This component-level visibility allows developers and enterprises to understand device security, identify missing patches, and take proactive remediation steps.
Practical Applications for Developers
Developers of security-critical applications, such as banking or enterprise apps, can use these libraries to ensure a device is secure before allowing sensitive actions. Instead of rejecting a request outright, apps can require users to install specific OS component updates. The library also includes functions like `queryAllAvailableUpdates()`, `fetchAvailableSecurityPatchLevel()`, and `areCvesPatched()` to facilitate these checks.
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Reporting from
Google released AndroidX Security State libraries, allowing apps to verify security patch status at the individual component level on Android devices. This provides more granular security assessment and enables developers to identify and prompt for specific missing patches.