Experts from Google's Project Zero research group have found a vulnerability in the Android operating system.
What does it mean
This vulnerability was fixed back in December 2017years in earlier versions of the Android kernel - 3.18, 4.4 and 4.9. Now it has appeared in the operating system again, but now in Android 8.x and newer versions.
It requires minimal or no changes to the software to gain Root access. As a result, hackers can gain full access to the victim's smartphone.
The vulnerability either requires the installation of an infected application, or operates in tandem with another exploit in the Chrome browser code used to render content.
Which smartphones are at risk?
Using this vulnerability, the following models can be hacked:
- Pixel 2 with Android 9 and Android 10 preview
- Huawei P20
- Xiaomi Redmi 5A
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 5
- Xiaomi A1
- Oppo a3
- Moto Z3
- LG smartphones running Android 8 Oreo
- Samsung Galaxy S7, S8 and S9
At the same time, the Pixel 3 and 3a smartphones no longer have the vulnerability, and Pixel 1 and 2 will get rid of it with the October update.