Android 12.1 March security patch rolling out to Google Pixel, factory images & OTAs live

Abner Li | Mar 7 2022 - 10:20 am PT

Android 12.1 with the March security patch is rolling out today for the Pixel 3a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, and Pixel 5a. [Update: The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will see SP2A.220305.013.A3 (Global build) OTAs “later this month.”]

The factory images this morning revealed that Android 12L is officially Android 12.1, though that new version number does appear anywhere in the OS/system Settings app.

There are 19 issues resolved in the Android 12 March patch dated 2022-03-01 and 22 for 2022-03-05. Vulnerabilities range from high to critical, with the most severe relating to the media framework and a remote attacker possibly executing arbitrary code through a crafted file.

In the most recent Android Security & Privacy Year in Review, Google notes that “no critical security vulnerabilities affecting the Android platform were publicly disclosed without a security update or mitigation available for Android devices.” Additionally, there was an 84% year-over-year jump in security patches during Q4 2018 compared to the prior year.

It will fix the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro Wi-Fi issues, but that update (SP2A.220305.013.A3) is not coming until later this month.

The dedicated bulletin for Google devices lists 41 security fixes.