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AN ANDROID FLAW which allows malware to insert malicious code into other apps and gain control of a device’s settings has been discovered.
The flaw, which was discovered by security company Bluebox Labs, is called ‘Fake ID’ could puts millions of users who are using older versions of Android at risk.
In a blog post detailing the flaw, it shows that every Android application has its own unique identity. The vulnerability is found in what’s called a ‘certificate chain,’ which allows devices to verify the identities of apps first for use before they’re opened or grant permission to access certain data.
The flaw undermines this process since it makes “no attempt to verify the authenticity of a certificate chain; in other words, an identity can claim to be issued by another identity, and the Android cryptographic code will not verify the claim.”
By opening an app that exploits this, it could create a knock-on effect which would see other apps and services being affected.
A patch for the flaw, which was labelled ‘Google bug 13678484′, was issued by Google as part of its latest update to KitKat (4.4) in April. However, that version only accounts for 17.9% of all Android versions, the rest (82.1%) are running older versions of Android on their devices.
If you’re worried about whether you have the latest version of Android installed, simply go into settings, scroll down to ‘about device’ and select ‘check update’.
If you’re using an older version, you will be notified and prompted to install the update although some devices don’t have the latest update yet due to their manufacturer not releasing one yet so double check just in case.
Bluebox Labs also released an Android app of their own which checks whether your device has been patched.
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Thank God no one injured, but I does raise more questions about the safety of buildings built recently
@Maurice Frazer: and what might those questions be?
And fire authority sign off on new builds.
@herp: If it was a buss bar or connection that went up that’s bad workmanship. Are you seriously suggesting a fire authority or any type of compliance checker can check every single terminal and connection on an installation?
@Fr. Fintan Stack: incorrect. Every circuit from a panel is checked these days and should be certified. In addition all panels built are tested in the factory so I would expect ALL connections can be verified on paper. Proving this would be next to impossible. Also who’s to say it wasn’t a bogey part.
@David Daly: So the “fire Authority” (DCC) should check every single connection for tightness using spanners/torque wrenches/screwdrivers from every light fitting, socket, consumer unit, main board, etc? It’s never going to happen. After all a fire from a loose connection can happen on any part of an installation, not just the main board. Read my post I said installation, not just main board. Is it really good enough for an electrician to accept a bit of paper from a factory to say all connections are tight? He/She should recheck. The problem with these new builds during the so called Celtic tiger was RECI self certification. So as I said if it is a loose connection it would be bad workmanship. And I don’t know if it was a bogey part or not. My first word in my post was “If”. The problem with so much of the building problems that happened during the Celtic tiger is that contractors are getting away with these issues and somehow the blame gets heaped on the authorities.
Thats what happens when you employ cheap labor
@Margaret Kane: how do you know that was done with cheap labour?
@Margaret Kane: nothing cheap about electricians in this country
Everyone involved in the construction/installation of the box might have done their job properly, but a mistake was made somewhere. All efforts should be concentrated on not compounding the problem by taking ages to get a new one installed. Don’t let bureaucracy (the curse of the public sector) make things worse.
@Conall: Yeah , them bureaucratic public servants.. the same public servants that put the fire out
I saw a similar type of fire a few years ago. It was caused by a rat chewing through the wiring in the electrical box.
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