Alert! Centre issues high severity warning for Android users, is your device at risk?

Updated on 27-Nov-2024
HIGHLIGHTS

CERT-In has issued a high-level advisory to select Android users regarding multiple vulnerabilities.

Android versions 12, 12L, 13, 14, and 15 are affected.

Affected users are advised to update their phones quickly.

The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has issued a high-level advisory to select Android users regarding multiple vulnerabilities. Users with phones running Android 12 to Android 15 are at risk, which translates to millions of devices. To address this issue, the advisory advises users to quickly update their Android phones to the latest software upgrade available. For those who are unfamiliar, CERT-In is the agency in charge of dealing with cyber security incidents and is part of the Indian government’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

According to the CERT-In advisory, which was issued on November 25, there are several vulnerabilities in the Android version that could be exploited by threat actors. Using these vulnerabilities, attackers can obtain sensitive information, gain elevated privileges, execute arbitrary code, or cause a denial of service (DoS) on the target system.

Android devices at risk:

Here is a list of affected software:

Android version 12
Android version 12L
Android version 13
Android version 14
Android version 15

Also Read: Govt issues high-risk warning for Google Chrome users in India: Here’s what you need to do

“Multiple vulnerabilities exist in Android due to flaws in the Framework, System, Google Play system updates, Kernel, Kernel LTS, Imagination Technologies, MediaTek components, Qualcomm components and Qualcomm closed-source components,” CERT stated in the advisory.

“Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to obtain sensitive information, gain elevated privileges, execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service (DoS) condition on the targeted system,” it added.

Tips and tricks to be safe:

Here are some tips and tricks that will help you protect your device and data on your Android phones.

  1. Keep your Android device up to date
  2. Do not download or install applications or APKs from sources that are not credible
  3. Enable security features like 2FA, and Google Play Protect to keep your device safe
  4. Avoid clicking on links, emails, or messages from suspicious accounts
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