Flagship Android 12 Devices Under Threat Due to Severe ‘Dirty Pipe’ Bug

Google Pixel 6, Samsung Galaxy S22, and another new gadgets working on Android 12 are affected by a extremely extreme Linux kernel vulnerability referred to as “Dirty Pipe.” The vulnerability might be exploited by a malicious app to realize system-level entry and overwrite information in read-only recordsdata on the system. First observed on the Linux kernel, the bug was reproduced by a safety researcher on Pixel 6. Google was additionally knowledgeable about its existence to introduce a system replace with a patch.

Security researcher Max Kellermann of German Web improvement firm CM4all noticed the ‘Dirty Pipe’ vulnerability. Shortly after Kellermann publicly disclosed the safety loophole this week that has been recorded as CVE-2022-0847, different researchers had been capable of element its impression.

 

As per Kellermann, the difficulty existed within the Linux kernel because the model 5.8, although it was fastened within the Linux 5.16.11, 5.15.25, and 5.10.102. It is much like the ‘Dirty COW’ vulnerability however is less complicated to use, the researcher mentioned.

The ‘Dirty COW’ vulnerability had impacted Linux kernel variations created earlier than 2018. It additionally impacted customers on Android, although Google fastened the flaw by releasing a safety patch again in December 2016.

An attacker exploiting the ‘Dirty Pipe’ vulnerability can achieve entry to overwrite information in read-only recordsdata on the Linux system. It may additionally enable hackers to create unauthorised consumer accounts, modify scripts, and binaries by gaining backdoor entry.

Since Android makes use of the Linux kernel as core, the vulnerability has a possible to impression smartphone customers as nicely. It is, nevertheless, restricted in nature as of now — due to the truth that most Android releases are not based on the Linux kernel versions which can be affected by the flaw.

“Android before version 12 is not affected at all, and some Android 12 devices — but not all — are affected,” Kellermann advised Gadgets 360.

The researcher additionally mentioned that if the machine was weak, the bug may very well be used to realize full root entry. This implies that it may very well be used to permit an app to learn and manipulate encrypted WhatsApp messages, seize validation SMS messages, impersonate customers on arbitrary web sites, and even remotely management any banking apps put in on the machine to steal cash from the consumer.

Kellermann was capable of reproduce the bug on Google Pixel 6 and reported its particulars to the Android safety group in February. Google additionally merged the bug fix into the Android kernel shortly after it obtained the report from the researcher.

However, it’s unclear whether or not the bug has been fastened by means of the March safety patch that was launched earlier this week.

In addition to the Pixel 6, the Samsung Galaxy S22 gadgets seem like impacted by the bug, according to Ars Technica’s Ron Amadeo.

Some different gadgets which can be working on Android 12 out-of-the-box are additionally anticipated to be weak to assaults as a result of ‘Dirty Pipe’ problem.

Gadgets 360 has reached out to Google and Samsung for readability on the vulnerability and can inform readers when the businesses reply.

Meanwhile, customers are really useful to not set up apps from any third-party sources. It can also be necessary to keep away from putting in any untrusted apps and video games, and ensure to have the most recent safety patches put in on the machine.



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