This Android Exploit Can Help Attackers Easily Take over Your Galaxy S22, Pixel 6 Devices

Mar. 13, 2022

Android apps and phones have been susceptible to vulnerabilities in the past and this continues to be a reality even now. A new exploit called Dirty Pipe has now been discovered that can let apps (with the necessary permissions) read files,infect malicious programs, and possibly control the entire systemof vulnerable Android 12 devices. Here are the details.

Beware of the Dirty Pipe Exploit on Android

So, while your Galaxy S22 Ultramay be physically strong, the device can easily get infected by a vulnerability. It has beentermed as one of the most high-severity vulnerabilitiesand affects Linux-powered devices like Android-based smartphones, Google Home devices, Chromebooks, and more.

It is suggested that the Dirty Pipe affects Linux pipes (to transfer data from an app or process to another) and Pages (the small chunks of memory). This bug can exploit the pipes and pages, thus, allowing attackers to change the data or have full control over the device. You can read all the technical detailsover here.

If you are worried that your Galaxy S22 device or Pixel 6 device is at risk, you cango toSettings and check your Kernel version. If it is higher than 5.8, then your phone is potentially exposed to the Dirty Pipe vulnerability. Fortunately, the exploit has not yet been used by an attacker in the wild. However, the researchers have theorized proof of concept examples to show how Dirty Pipe can be used to easily infiltrate a vulnerable device.

So, if you are using a Pixel 6 device or a Galaxy S22 model with a Kernel version higher than 5.8,beware of untrusted apps asking for system permissionson your device until Google releases the fix. Also, stay tuned for further updates on this issue in the coming days.

A geek at heart, you’ll find me fidgeting with an iOS device or sitting in front of the laptop, scouring the internet to find interesting technological innovations. In my free time, you’d find me playing Valorant or listening to Pink Floyd.