Firmware
Samsung November 2023 Security Patch: fixes 15 vulnerabilities specific to Galaxy devices
November has started, and like every month, smartphone companies are working on adding the latest security updates to their devices. Samsung is known for being quick and diligent with updates, especially when it comes to the security patches for November 2023.
Just like every month, Samsung has posted the security bulletin for November 2023 on its website. When Samsung releases these patches, they not only include all the fixes that come with the Android operating system from Google, but they also address some specific issues with Galaxy devices.
Samsung One UI 6: A Deep Dive into the Latest Features and Enhancements
In the November 2023 security patch, Samsung has included a new page in its official documentation. With this update, the company has introduced almost 54 fixes to bolster the security of Galaxy devices. These fixes are designed to make Galaxy devices more secure and protect them from potential vulnerabilities.
In the upcoming security update from Samsung, there will be a total of 49 fixes provided by Google and an additional 15 fixes implemented by Samsung. Here are the details of the CVE codes for the vulnerabilities that have been addressed:
Critical risk:
CVE-2023-24855, CVE-2023-28540, CVE-2023-33028, CVE-2023-4863, CVE-2023-40113.
High risk:
CVE-2020-29374, CVE-2023-21673, CVE-2023-22385, CVE-2023-24843, CVE-2023-24844, CVE-2023-24848, CVE-2023-24847, CVE-2023-24850, CVE-2023-24849, CVE-2023-24853, CVE-2023-34970, CVE-2023-33200, CVE-2023-33034, CVE-2023-33035, CVE-2023-33027, CVE-2023-33029, CVE-2023-33026, CVE-2023-4211, CVE-2023-20819, CVE-2023-32819, CVE-2023-32820, CVE-2021-44828, CVE-2022-28348, CVE-2023-40638, CVE-2023-40106, CVE-2023-40107, CVE-2023-40109, CVE-2023-40110, CVE-2023-40111, CVE-2023-40114, CVE-2023-40105, CVE-2023-40124, CVE-2023-40100, CVE-2023-40115, CVE-2023-40104, CVE-2023-40112, CVE-2023-21103, CVE-2023-21111, CVE-2023-21234, CVE-2023-33106, CVE-2023-33107, CVE-2022-22071, CVE-2023-33063.
So, in this case, these security fixes include both the updates made directly by Google in the Android operating system and the additional ones that Samsung included in the November patches. Samsung’s added fixes aim to address critical issues that could potentially allow malicious individuals to do things like install a different version of an app on a device, perform harmful actions from a remote location, and access the serial number of the CPU. These measures are essential for protecting users and their devices from potential threats.
Samsung has already rolled out the November 2023 update for Galaxy S23 smartphones. However, at the moment, it’s only available for Android 14 users and certain devices that are running the One UI 6 beta version. The company plans to gradually make the update available to more smartphone users in the coming days. The release pattern is not fixed, so it could become available to any eligible smartphone, regardless of its price range or regional availability.
For devices that may not be eligible for major updates anymore, the security patch update might also include some improvements to enhance the device’s performance and functionality. This is good news for users who want to keep their devices secure and running smoothly, even if they are no longer receiving major software updates.
The Samsung Galaxy A55 5G is the latest premium mid-range smartphone on the market. It debuted with Android 14 and One UI 6.1. To maintain its security, the company has started rolling out the fresh April 2024 security patch update for the device.
As of writing, the April 2024 security patch for the Galaxy A55 5G has been spotted in several regions, including Europe, Asia, and some Latin American countries. More specifically, the European units of the Galaxy A55 5G are getting a new update with the firmware version number A556BXXS2AXD3. In Asian countries, the update is coming with the firmware version number A556EXXS2AXD3. Meanwhile, the Latin American units are getting a new update with the firmware version number A556EXXS2AXD4.
According to the official changelog, the April 2024 security patch doesn’t bring any major changes for the devices, but it will strengthen their security. According to the official documentation, the latest security patch will provide more than 40 fixes, and Google has added 27 security vulnerability fixes related to the Android OS. Along with this, Samsung has also provided 17 more fixes that remove the security-related bugs from the Galaxy devices.
Moreover, if you update your Galaxy A55 5G smartphone to the latest version, you may get some new changes that can improve the overall performance and stability of the devices. So if you are facing any issues, then the new software update may bring resolution for you.
To take advantage of new software improvements for your device to the latest version, if you are using the Galaxy A55 5G device in any of the above-mentioned regions, you can now install the latest software by going to the software update menu from the system settings.
Firmware
One UI 6.1 with Galaxy AI Feature update rolled out for Galaxy Z Fold4, Flip4, Fold3, and Flip3
Usually, Samsung expands the One UI update gradually to Galaxy devices, but today the company has released the One UI 6.1 update for several devices. After spotting the update on the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S21 devices, the update is now live for the older foldable devices, including the Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy Z Flip 4, Galaxy Z Fold 3, and Galaxy Z Flip 3.
It is worth noticing that all these foldable devices are initially getting the One UI 6.1 in South Korea. Users who own the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 can identify the latest update by the firmware version numbers F936NKSU2FXDC and F721NKSU2FXDC, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 are getting new updates with the firmware version numbers F926NKSU2IXDC and F711NKSU3IXDC, respectively. With the latest One UI update, the company will provide several new features that will enhance the device’s utility. It is worth noticing that the update is still using the April 2024 security patch.
Informatively, the One UI 6.1 update will also provide new Galaxy AI features that will surely elevate the device experience while using the different communication functionalities and many routine functions.
For your information, there are several Galaxy AI features, including Browsing Assist, Chat Assist, Circle to Search with Google, Edit Suggestion, Generative Edit, Interpreter, Live Translate, Note Assist, and Transcript Assist.
If you are using any of the aforementioned foldable devices in South Korea, then update the Galaxy devices to the most recent update. To do that, simply go to the software update settings under the system settings.
One UI 6.1 and Galaxy AI Features
- Circle to Search feature for instant search.
- Chat Assist helps to translate incoming and outgoing chats in real time and offers different conversation tones.
- Interpreter, which translates in-person conversations in real time.
- Live Translate helps translate phone calls in real-time.
- Note Assist improves the overall functionality of the Notes app.
- Transcript Assist allows for the recording of speech and offers transcription.
- Browsing Assist summarizes and translates web pages.
- Generative editing helps with advanced editing.
- Edit Suggestion offers advanced editing suggestions and options like remastering, erasing shadows, and more.
- Instant Slow-Mo helps to slow down high-action videos after recording them. (Limited Models)
- Generative wallpaper permits you to create as much wallpaper as you want.
- Photo Ambient Wallpaper allows the addition of special effects to the wallpaper based on weather conditions.
A short horror moment for a smartphone user is the end of software support! Samsung plays with monthly, quarterly, and biannual firmware security updates including patches for Android OS-related security issues and Samsung-specific security issues. Sad to relate, here we are listing the Samsung Galaxy devices that are losing their software support in 2024.
Samsung has its policies for allotting software support, according to which it delivers the software update on time, and once the device reaches the limit of update, the brand ends the software support for that. Initially, Samsung offered three major updates to flagship devices and two major updates to the rest of the Galaxy devices, then it expanded the limit and started offering four years of major OS updates to particular devices and three for the affordable ones. Now earlier this year, it promised seven years of major OS updates for its flagship Galaxy S24 series.
However, Samsung hardly ditched its software policies, but now things appear the opposite since the giants are shifting the Galaxy S20 and Note 20 series repeatedly between the monthly and quarterly updates list.
Hope your device will not be listed in the list, since here we are mentioning the software support ended devices list in 2024.
Galaxy A series devices
- Galaxy A71
- Galaxy A51 LTE
- Galaxy A02
- Galaxy A01
Galaxy M series devices
- Galaxy M21
- Galaxy M31
Galaxy Tabs & Foldable
- Galaxy Tab S6
- Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020)
- Galaxy Z Flip LTE
- Galaxy Z Fold2 4G
- Galaxy W20 5G
- Galaxy S10 Lite
- Galaxy Note 10 Lite