A serious security error appeared on Android that allowed hackers to control smartphones through a photo

A serious security hole on the Android operating system has just been discovered, which can help hackers run malicious code and control smartphones remotely by displaying a PNG image file (Portable Network Graphic).

Hackers only need to trick users into opening a PNG image, a popular image compression format, via email, a message or a messaging application and installing malicious code.

This error has been publicly announced by Google on Android security newsletter from February 4. Accordingly, Android phones 7.0 (Nougat) to Android 9.0 (Pie) are affected.

As described by Google, this is a serious security vulnerability that exists in the Framework, allowing remote attackers to execute arbitrary code using specially crafted PNG files.

A serious security error appeared on Android that allowed hackers to control smartphones through a photo Picture 1

The good news is that Google has released an Android security update in February 2019 with a fix for this critical vulnerability and resolving 41 issues and other vulnerabilities.

But Komando said the patch was only released for Pixel smartphones, Pixel C tablets and Essential phones, Google's priority smartphones. And other Android smartphones will have to wait for the manufacturer or service provider to release updates for the device. This means that millions of Android smartphones still have PNG image errors for an unknown period of time, maybe even forever (with older models).

Of course, when Google discloses this error, hackers will probably exploit it. To protect your device while waiting for the patch, limit downloading and viewing PNG tails in emails, messages from strangers, unknown sources. Also, when your device is allowed to update Android security version in 2/2019, please apply immediately.