Google finally patches MediaTek chip flaw that affected millions of Android devices

Flaw had been public knowledge for nearly a year

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

The latest March 2020 Android security update has fixed a critical security vulnerability that impacted millions of MediaTek devices.

According toGoogle’s recent Android Security Bulletin, the flaw, know as CVE-2020-0069, affected the Command Queue driver.

This would allow users to gain SuperUser or Root access on various Android devices, giving them the ability to delete pre-installed apps, unlock the bootloader, tweak system parameters and sideload applications from theGoogle Play Store, opening up possible multiple security threats.

MediaTek security

According to reports, this rootkit has been available online since April 2019. Although MediaTek released a patch to attempt to fix this vulnerability last year, it was still being exploited by hackers, who could install a malicious app, access user files, use the device to snoop on to the users, or even render it useless by bricking it.

The exploit reportedly works on almost all devices powered by MediaTek’s 64-bit chipsets, a list which includes devices from popular manufacturers like Alcatel,Amazon, ASUS, Blackview, Huawei,LG, Meizu, Nokia, Motorola, OPPO,Sony, Realme, Xiaomi, ZTE, and many more.

Taiwanese chipmaker MediaTek powers hundreds of different Android devices worldwide, including smartphones, set-top boxes, tablets and other devices. Since most of these are entry level or mid-budget devices, such items rarely receive software updates from their manufacturers.

However now that Google’s March 2020 security patch has been released, most devices should ideally be able to update it until and unless the manufacturer releases it further.

Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!

Via:XDA-Developers

Jitendra has been working in the Internet Industry for the last 7 years now and has written about a wide range of topics including gadgets, smartphones, reviews, games, software, apps, deep tech, AI, and consumer electronics.

This new malware utilizes a rare programming language to evade traditional detection methods

A new form of macOS malware is being used by devious North Korean hackers

I fell in love with the cute and compact Hyundai Inster, but it has one major drawback