Newly Uncovered Bug Threatens Security In Android Devices
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A newly uncovered security flaw in Android devices could put nearly a billion phones and tablets at risk.
The Samsung Galaxy S7 and Edge; Moto X; LG G4 and 5; Google Nexus 5X and 6; HTC One, M9, and 10 -- these are just a handful of the Androids that have Qualcomm components under the hood, and that's where the problem lies.
"An attacker could use these vulnerabilities to give themselves root access on an Android device," said Jeff Zucuto, a researcher at Check Point, the software security firm that found the threats in software drivers pre-installed on the devices. "Everything on the device -- the data, sensors -- it really gives them carte blanche to do whatever they like."
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The flaws could allow a bad guy to trigger your camera microphone and also record everything you type.
Zucuto advises installing Android updates as soon as they're available; downloading apps only from the Google Play store; using only trusted WiFi networks; and running an anti-virus/anti-malware app.
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Check Point says Qualcomm has patched three of the four flaws -- though this requires users to install the updates -- with the final fix expected in September.
For more information, see Check Point's blog on QuadRooter, and download the tool to your Android to see if it's at risk.
