MobileNews

It took Google months to patch a serious Android security flaw

Google has patched a critical security flaw that affects millions of Android devices with chipsets from MediaTek, XDA Developers revealed today. The vulnerability is a rootkit lodged in the CPU’s firmware. It allows a simple script to root Android devices that use nearly any of MediaTek’s 64-bit chips, so it has compromised hundreds of budget and mid-range smartphone, tablet and set-top box models, XDA says.

Google noted the patch (CVE-2020-0069) in its March Android security bulletin. While this is the first public disclosure, details about the exploit have been online for months. The vulnerability is still exploitable on dozens of device models, and hackers are actively using it. Worse, in all likelihood, many devices will never get the patch at all.

Hackers that use the exploit can cause damage in a number of ways. For instance, they could install any app and then grant it whatever permission it needs to hack the device. In the wrong hands, root access can empower ransomware and hypothetically make an entire device inoperable.

MediaTek has had patches available to fix this vulnerability since May 2019, but the company can’t force OEMs to fix their devices. Google, however, can force many OEMs to do so, through license agreements and program terms, XDA explains. Still according to XDA, Google knew about the vulnerability months before it took action. That’s especially disconcerting considering how widespread and dangerous the flaw is.

Check out the latest Samsung phones at great prices from Gizmofashion – our recommended retail partner.


Author: Christine Fisher.
Source: Engadget

Related posts
AI & RoboticsNews

Runway Gen-4 solves AI video’s biggest problem: character consistency across scenes

AI & RoboticsNews

Emergence AI’s new system automatically creates AI agents rapidly in realtime based on the work at hand

AI & RoboticsNews

I asked an AI swarm to fill out a March Madness bracket — here’s what happened

Cleantech & EV'sNews

What is Slate? A stealthy new American EV automaker promises to be a 'game-changer'

Sign up for our Newsletter and
stay informed!

Worth reading...
‘Halo: Combat Evolved’ remaster is now available for PC