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Samsung, Pixel Android users beware! Google researchers reveal flaw that can let hackers control your phone

Samsung, Pixel Android users beware! Google researchers reveal flaw that can let hackers control your phone

Using these vulnerabilities an attacker can remotely compromise a device at the baseband level without the need for user interaction

Danny D'Cruze
Danny D'Cruze
  • New Delhi,
  • Updated Mar 17, 2023 5:18 PM IST
Samsung, Pixel Android users beware! Google researchers reveal flaw that can let hackers control your phoneSamsung Galaxy devices are impacted by this vulnerability

Security researchers at Google's Project Zero have discovered multiple 0-day vulnerabilities in Samsung Semiconductor's Exynos Modems, which can potentially allow remote code execution. Tim Willis, a researcher from Project Zero, has revealed that a total of 18 vulnerabilities have been discovered, with four of them being particularly severe.

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These four vulnerabilities allow for Internet-to-baseband remote code execution, which means that an attacker can remotely compromise a device at the baseband level without the need for user interaction.

The vulnerabilities affect a wide range of devices, including mobile devices from Samsung, Vivo, and Google, wearables that use the Exynos W920 chipset, and vehicles that use the Exynos Auto T5123 chipset. While patch timelines are expected to vary by manufacturer, users can protect themselves from the baseband remote code execution vulnerabilities by turning off Wi-Fi calling and Voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) in their device settings. End-users are also encouraged to update their devices as soon as possible to ensure that they are running the latest builds that fix both disclosed and undisclosed security vulnerabilities.

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Delaying Discolures

Project Zero has decided to delay the disclosure of the four most severe vulnerabilities due to the potential for attackers to benefit significantly more than defenders if the vulnerabilities were to be disclosed. The remaining fourteen vulnerabilities have either been publicly disclosed or will be publicly disclosed if they remain unfixed after 90 days. Security researchers are urging users to stay vigilant and take steps to protect their devices until security updates are available.

Also read: ChatGPT users alert! Fake apps on Google Play, App Store stealing data; here's what you can do 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Danny D'Cruze
Danny D'Cruze

When Danny is not tinkering with his latest gadget you'll find him in the kitchen whipping up a new recipe. To balance out all the eating, he enjoys working out and taking long walks.

When he's not immersed in his hobbies, Danny is a social butterfly who loves meeting new people and getting to know them over a good conversation. He's also an avid gamer who can spend hours lost in a virtual world, and a dance enthusiast who's ever ready to hit the dance floor.

Danny loves long drives and podcasts. He's always eager to share his latest discovery and can talk for hours about his favorite shows. 

Published on: Mar 17, 2023 4:15 PM IST