Attackers could gain the ability to execute code, access call histories, messages, and monitor calls through this Qualcomm bug.
Millions of Android smartphones all over the world have been attacked by a critical liability inside Qualcomm chipsets. That allowed hackers to get into the phone and gain access. It can read users text messages, see call history as well as listen in to their conversations. And hackers can attack the device remotely using an Android application.
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As a matter of fact, Android smartphones from Google, Samsung, LG, Xiaomi, and OnePlus use a Qualcomm MSM chip. And an estimated 30 per cent of the devices come with QMI in them.
“If exploited, the vulnerability would have allowed an attacker to use Android OS itself as an entry point. To inject malicious and invisible code into phones, granting them access to SMS messages and audio of phone conversations.”
Researchers from Israeli security said in an analysis.
What does Qualcomm MSM Chip Do?
Qualcomm MSM Chip allows mobile phones to connect to cellular networks. It enables Android to take to the chip’s processor through Qualcomm MSM Interface (QMI), an established protocol.
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Besides this, already in the past, defects have been found in Qualcomm chips. In August 2020, Check Point researchers revealed that more than 400 security problems related to Qualcomm chips, together called “Achilles” letting attacker access the phone. It turned the phone into a spying tool, without any other user interaction needed.
In case, if you have a phone that is very old and no longer getting security updates that this might be a problem.
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For your privacy, it is better to get a new smartphone as there are so many options available in the market of any price range you need.
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