Massive Android hack compromises device cameras, microphones ─Experts

*Cybersecurity experts have recommended Android consumers should update their software immediately to protect themselves against attacks 

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

Consumers of Android phones and accessories around the world are reportedly facing the threat of being attacked after a security issue was uncovered, leaving a device’s microphone and camera vulnerable to remote access.

The Check Point Software Technologies, in a communication wrote about its discovery, and said hackers could leverage the vulnerability to snoop on users’ audio/video media and even listen in on phone calls.

The phones that are most prone to danger are ones that have Qualcomm or MediaTek chips, agency report said.

Unfortunately, 98 percent of Android devices are powered by those two processors, so the impact could be enormous.

Closing the phone vulnerability

Researchers at the Check Point stated that they disclosed their findings to both chipmakers, and each company has apparently patched the security issue.

However, anyone who has an Android device will need to update their system software to keep their device secure, said experts.

Failing to apply the update could be especially dangerous since all it would take is for a hacker to send someone a doctored audio file to compromise their device.

The also explained that “the…issues our researchers found could be used by an attacker for remote code execution attack (RCE) on a mobile device through a malformed audio file.

“RCE attacks allow an attacker to remotely execute malicious code on a computer. The impact of an RCE vulnerability can range from malware execution to an attacker gaining control over a user’s multimedia data, including streaming from a compromised machine’s camera.

“In addition, an unprivileged Android app could use these vulnerabilities to escalate its privileges and gain access to media data and user conversations.”