Google Just Fixed a Serious Android Security Flaw That’s Already Exploited
Android updates often come with a slew of security patches and bug fixes as standard, few of which ever get much attention, but the latest security update released by Google is notable: it fixes a vulnerability that may have already been exploited in the wild. therefore, it is even more important to update your devices as soon as possible.
The vulnerability is registered as CVE-2024-36971, and Google says it “may be subject to limited targeted exploitation.” In other words, there is a possibility that hackers have already found ways to exploit it, albeit with limited end results or a limited number of devices affected.
It is reported as a high severity remote code execution error. This means that it potentially allows someone else to run code on your device without your knowledge. While there’s a very good chance you haven’t been affected yet, you should keep an eye on security updates for your phone or tablet. The problem was discovered by renowned Google bug troubleshooter Clément Lecigne.
Information about how the vulnerability could potentially be exploited is scarce, as you might expect: Google will be careful not to reveal any clues about the details of the problem or the methods attackers could use to benefit. this. In total, Google fixed 46 Android security flaws in August.
How to update your Android phone
The good news is that Android automatically checks for updates in the background and tells you when they’re available and ready to install—usually you’ll just need to restart your phone when prompted, and then the update will be applied.
If you want to manually check for pending updates, you can do that too. If you’re using a Pixel phone, open Settings, then go to System > Software Updates > System Update . Regardless of whether an update is available, you’ll be able to find out when the last update was installed, as well as the version of Android you’re running on.
It’s not much different from Samsung Galaxy phones. From the Settings menu, select Software Update to see when your device was last updated. You can then select “Download and Install” to see if there are any updates and set them up on your phone.
The update will be available at different times for different devices depending on the region and manufacturer. Google told The Hacker News that it is working with hardware partners such as Samsung to ensure the necessary patches are applied as quickly as possible.