This information is intended for developers who received a message because they have app(s) utilizing a version of GnuTLS (a communications library implementing SSL, TLS, and DTLS protocols) containing a security vulnerability. These apps violate the Dangerous products provision of the Content Policy and section 4.4 of the Developer Distribution Agreement.
Please upgrade your app(s) as soon as possible and increment the version number of the upgraded APK. Apps and app updates containing the GnuTLS vulnerability will not be accepted by Google Play. If you are using a 3rd party library that includes GnuTLS, please notify the 3rd party and work with them to address the issue.
What’s happening
Please refer to the notice on your Play Console. After the deadlines shown in your Play Console, any apps that contain unfixed security vulnerabilities may be removed from Google Play.
Action required
- Sign in to your Play Console, and navigate to the Alerts section to see which apps are affected and the deadlines to resolve these issues.
- Update your affected apps and fix the vulnerability.
- Submit the updated versions of your affected apps.
Upon resubmission, your app will be reviewed again. This process can take several hours. If the app passes review and is published successfully, then no further action is required. If the app fails review, then the new app version will not be published and you will receive an email notification.
Additional details
The vulnerability was addressed in GnuTLS 3.1.25, GnuTLS 3.2.15, and GnuTLS 3.3.4. The latest versions of GnuTLS can be downloaded from the GnuTLS website. For help upgrading, see the GnuTLS support documentation.
Due to a flaw in the way your version of GnuTLS parses session IDs, an attacker could potentially trigger a buffer overflow and remotely control your app. For more information about the vulnerability, please see https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2014-3466. For other technical questions, please post to Stack Overflow and use the tags “android-security” and “GnuTLS.”
Note: while these issues may not affect every app that uses GnuTLS versions prior to 3.1.25, 3.2.15, and 3.3.4, it’s best to stay up to date on all security patches. Please take this time to update apps that have out-of-date dependent libraries or other vulnerabilities.
Before publishing apps, please ensure they are compliant with the Developer Distribution Agreement and Content Policy.
We’re here to help
If you have technical questions about the vulnerability, you can post to Stack Overflow and use the tag “android-security.” For clarification on steps you need to take to resolve this issue, you can contact our developer support team.