New security vulnerability puts 900 million Android devices at risk, researchers warn

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Via YouTube Channel : AboutURL Security firm Check Point has identified vulnerabilities affecting 900 million smartphones and tablets that use chipsets from component maker Qualcomm. Check Point disclosed the vulnerabilities Sunday at the DEF CON 24 hacking conference in Las Vegas. The four vulnerabilities, dubbed “QuadRooter” by Check Point, affect Android devices using chipsets from component maker Qualcomm. Chipsets are collections of components or circuits that handle data flow within a device. If any one of the vulnerabilities is exploited, an attacker could gain access to the device, explained Check Point, in a blog post. “Any Android device using these chipsets is at risk,” it added. An attack could exploit the vulnerabilities in the chipsets’ software drivers using a malicious app. “Since the vulnerable drivers are pre-installed on devices at the point of manufacture, they can only be fixed by installing a patch from the distributor or carrier,” Check Point said. Qualcomm has not yet responded to a request for comment on this story from FoxNews.com. Check Point says the situation highlights the “inherent” security risks in Android. “Critical security updates must pass through the entire supply chain before they can be made available to end users,” it said. “Once available, the end users must then be sure to install these updates to protect their devices and data.” The BBC reports there is no evidence of the vulnerabilities being used in cyberattacks. Android devices containing the vulnerable chipset technology include the BlackBerry Priv, Google’s Nexus 5X, Nexus 6 and Nexus 6P and Samsung’s Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, according to CheckPoint. BlackBerry, Google and Samsung have not yet responded to a request for comment on this story from FoxNews.com. Check Point is offering a free QuadRooter scanner app on Google Play that can test devices for the vulnerability. This is not the first time that Google’s Android has been thrust into the security spotlight. Last year the Stagefright flaw in Android’s multimedia processing sparked concern and prompted fixes from Google, carriers and smartphone makers. Manufacturers are ramping up their efforts around mobile device security. Last week, for example, Samsung unveiled its Galaxy Note7 phone, which offers iris-scanning technology to unlock the Android device. Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers - Provided by Fox News