The Indian government’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has identified high-risk vulnerabilities in Android phones that could potentially affect millions of users in India. The vulnerabilities exist in the modem firmware of certain Android phones, and could allow hackers to take control of the phones remotely.

The affected phones include models from Samsung, Google, and Vivo. CERT-In has advised users of these phones to update their firmware to the latest version as soon as possible. The updates are available from the respective phone manufacturers.

Here are some of the specific vulnerabilities that have been identified:

• A vulnerability in the modem firmware of Samsung Galaxy S22 phones could allow hackers to execute arbitrary code on the phone. This means that hackers could install malicious software on the phone, steal data, or even take control of the phone’s functions.
• A vulnerability in the modem firmware of Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 phones could allow hackers to gain root access to the phone. Root access is a level of privileged access that allows hackers to do anything they want on the phone, including installing malicious software, changing system settings, and stealing data.
• A vulnerability in the modem firmware of Vivo S16, S15, S6, X70, X60, and X30 phones could allow hackers to steal sensitive data from the phone, such as call logs, text messages, and photos.

These are just a few of the vulnerabilities that have been identified. It is important to note that there may be other vulnerabilities that have not yet been discovered.

If you are an Android user, it is important to keep your phone’s firmware up to date. This will help to protect you from the latest security vulnerabilities. You can check for firmware updates by going to the settings menu on your phone and selecting “System” > “System updates”.

You should also be careful about what apps you install on your phone. Only install apps from trusted sources, and be sure to read the permissions that the app requests before you install it.

By taking these precautions, you can help to protect yourself from the latest Android vulnerabilities.

In addition to the above, here are some other tips for protecting your Android phone from security vulnerabilities:

• Use a strong password or PIN to lock your phone.
• Enable two-factor authentication for your Google account.
• Be careful about what links you click on and what files you open.
• Install a security app on your phone.
• Keep your apps up to date.

By following these tips, you can help to keep your Android phone safe from security vulnerabilities.