A security vulnerability that lets hackers gain full access to a Android devices through the lock screen has been found. The flaw, which was discovered by the University of Texas, affects devices running the Android Lollipop operating system.
Image: Family O’Abé
To take advantage of this security flaw, attackers need to physically interact with the Android device. They then need to access the lock screen, open the Emergency Call window and entering a series of characters then mash the camera shutter button to crash the lock screen. You can see a step-by-step guide on how this vulnerability can be exploited here:
Google has been notified of this security issue and has just issued a fix, which you can find over at its Android Git Repositories page.
Comments
3 responses to “Hackers Can Gain Access To Android Devices Through Lockscreen Bypass”
I hate these “hackers can access your phone……if they have your phone, have preinstalled an app and stand on one leg while trying to touch their nose with their tongue” stories.
No one but myself, and the few people I would hand my phone to, get access to my phone. If it were to be stolen I would lock it and wipe it.
To take advantage of this security flaw, attackers need to physically interact with the Android device
To prevent this security flaw being exploited, users need to physically interact with the hacker.
With a lead pipe.
Its not exactly smooth is it. Though I presume its more of a proof of concept rather than an actual method that would be used in the wild efficiently.