Samsung, Google and LG take action to prevent another Stagefright: 'Mother of all Android bugs' scares smartphone makers into rolling out monthly security updates
The Stagefright bug has been described as the 'worst Android vulnerability in the mobile OS history' and could infect phones that simply received a message via a multimedia messaging service, even if it remains unopened.
Many manufacturers are rolling out fixes, but Samsung, Google and LG have vowed to send out security patches on a regular basis.
The Stagefright bug gives an attacker complete control of a handset, allowing them to copy data by taking over the microphone and camera, for example, after a specific message is received.
These vulnerabilities are believed to be extremely dangerous because they do not require that the victim take any action to be exploited.
While the bug affects Android handsets running an operating system older than Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, meaning lots of new models will be safe, smartphone manufacturers are rapidly rolling out fixes and some have taken their action a step further.
Samsung announced in a it will frequently issue fixes from now on.
‘Samsung Electronics will implement a new Android security update process that fast tracks the security patches over the air when security vulnerabilities are uncovered,’ it says.
These security updates will take place regularly about once per month.
Addressing the Stagefright problem, Dong Jin Koh, VP and Head of Mobile Research and Development Office, IT & Mobile Communications at Samsung Electronics, said: ‘With the recent security issues, we have been rethinking the approach to getting security updates to our devices in a more timely manner.
‘Since software is constantly exploited in new ways, developing a fast response process to deliver security patches to our devices is critical to keep them protected.
‘We believe that this new process will vastly improve the security of our devices and will aim to provide the best mobile experience possible for our users.’
However, Digital Trends noted these updates can be held up by mobile networks around the world and it may focus on some handsets more than others.
Google said it will send out a monthly security update to Nexus phones and its first one to address Stagefright is available for Nexus 4,5,6,7,9 and 10 handsets.
Adrian Ludwig, Lead Engineer for Android Security : 'From this week on, Nexus devices will receive regular OTA updates each month focused on security, in addition to the usual platform updates.'
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/science...-makers-rolling-monthly-security-updates.html
- Stagefright bug lets attackers take control of older Android handsets by sending a message via a multimedia messaging service
- Samsung, Google and LG have vowed to roll out security patches regularly
- Majority of phone manufacturers are currently rolling out bug patches
The Stagefright bug has been described as the 'worst Android vulnerability in the mobile OS history' and could infect phones that simply received a message via a multimedia messaging service, even if it remains unopened.
Many manufacturers are rolling out fixes, but Samsung, Google and LG have vowed to send out security patches on a regular basis.
The Stagefright bug gives an attacker complete control of a handset, allowing them to copy data by taking over the microphone and camera, for example, after a specific message is received.
These vulnerabilities are believed to be extremely dangerous because they do not require that the victim take any action to be exploited.
While the bug affects Android handsets running an operating system older than Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, meaning lots of new models will be safe, smartphone manufacturers are rapidly rolling out fixes and some have taken their action a step further.
Samsung announced in a it will frequently issue fixes from now on.
‘Samsung Electronics will implement a new Android security update process that fast tracks the security patches over the air when security vulnerabilities are uncovered,’ it says.
These security updates will take place regularly about once per month.
Addressing the Stagefright problem, Dong Jin Koh, VP and Head of Mobile Research and Development Office, IT & Mobile Communications at Samsung Electronics, said: ‘With the recent security issues, we have been rethinking the approach to getting security updates to our devices in a more timely manner.
‘Since software is constantly exploited in new ways, developing a fast response process to deliver security patches to our devices is critical to keep them protected.
‘We believe that this new process will vastly improve the security of our devices and will aim to provide the best mobile experience possible for our users.’
However, Digital Trends noted these updates can be held up by mobile networks around the world and it may focus on some handsets more than others.
Google said it will send out a monthly security update to Nexus phones and its first one to address Stagefright is available for Nexus 4,5,6,7,9 and 10 handsets.
Adrian Ludwig, Lead Engineer for Android Security : 'From this week on, Nexus devices will receive regular OTA updates each month focused on security, in addition to the usual platform updates.'
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/science...-makers-rolling-monthly-security-updates.html
