Android-Based Phones Have a "Master Key", According to Security Researchers

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Android-Based Phones Have a "Master Key", According to Security Researchers

engine

1:31 pm on Jul 4, 2013 (gmt 0)

A "master key" that could give cyber-thieves unfettered access to almost any Android phone has been discovered by security research firm BlueBox.

The bug could be exploited to let an attacker do what they want to a phone including stealing data, eavesdropping or using it to send junk messages.

The loophole has been present in every version of the Android operating system released since 2009.

Google said it currently had no comment to make on BlueBox's discovery.Android-Based Phones Have a "Master Key", According to Security Researchers [bbc.co.uk]

creeking

6:01 pm on Jul 4, 2013 (gmt 0)

the short article describes it as a bug, versus a planned snooping backdoor.

users would have to install a compromised app.

bill

1:29 am on Jul 5, 2013 (gmt 0)

Yikes. They've known about this since February. I guess the fragmentation of the Android market will prevent them from acting quickly on this, but it's surprising that the Nexus devices haven't been patched. I read elsewhere that the only phone immune to this bug is the Samsung Galaxy S4, so apparently it is something that can be patched.

heisje

8:40 pm on Jul 5, 2013 (gmt 0)

a planned snooping backdoor

PRISM, anybody?
(surprise, surprise . . . .)

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