Google issues ‘red alert’ to Android users – don’t ignore ‘critical’ warning

ANDROID users have been warned to update their software or risk getting their devices hacked.

Last week, Google released its monthly Android Security Bulletin for March.

1

Google’s security bulletin details new security patches the tech giant has issued for Android devices.

“Security patch levels of 2023-03-05 or later address all of these issues,” the tech giant said in the bulletin.

The March 2023 security update described two critically rated vulnerabilities that affect Android’s System.

The two flaws are tracked as CVE-2023-20951 and CVE-2023-20954.

One can reportedly lead to “remote code execution with no additional privileges needed” according to Google.

Remote code execution (RCE) allows an attacker to access a device and makes changes remotely, no matter where the device is located.

The consequences of an RCE attack can be quite serious, experts have said.

Google listed other vulnerabilities for Android devices, though some only affect certain models.

The U.S. Sun has outlined the full list below.

• Framework: eight security issues with high severity rating
• System: 18 different vulnerabilities, 2 rated critical, 16 rated high severity
• Google Play system updates: 5 vulnerabilities.
• Kernel: one vulnerability listed with high severity rating
• MediaTek components: three listed vulnerabilities with high rating
• Unisoc components: four vulnerabilities with high rating
• Qualcomm components: three vulnerabilities, with high rating
• Qualcomm closed source components: 18 different vulnerabilities, 2 rated critical, 16 rated high

To patch these vulnerabilities on any Android-powered device, you need to update your software.

How to update your device

Android can head to Settings > System > System updates > if you see any updates lingering there, select download and install.

If you do not see any updates, you may need to wait for an official update to roll out.

You can find more information on updating your Android device here.