The US government has issued a warning to all employees to immediately update their Google Pixel phones due to a critical security vulnerability. This vulnerability, known as CVE-2024-32896, allows for privilege escalation and could potentially be exploited by hackers for cyber attacks. Google has already released a fix for the issue, although the details of the vulnerability and how it could be exploited have not been disclosed.
The security flaw is considered a zero-day exploit, which means it was discovered and could be used by hackers before mitigation measures were put in place. While Pixel phones are the first to receive the update, other Android users are also at risk and may receive updates in August to address the issue.
Google has warned that the exploit has already been used in targeted attacks, although specifics about the targets remain unknown. The company has advised all users to update their devices promptly through the Settings app, with updates typically taking between a few minutes to half an hour.
In response to the security vulnerability, the US National Institute of Standards and Technology has mandated that government employees must update their Google Pixel devices by July 4 or cease using the smartphones altogether. The firmware security patch not only addresses the critical vulnerability but also fixes 49 other vulnerabilities related to hardware and software components.
It is crucial for Pixel phone owners to apply the security updates promptly to protect against potential hijacking and cyber attacks. Stay informed about the latest tech news and security updates by subscribing to our free IndyTech newsletter delivered directly to your inbox.
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https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/google-pixel-update-security-android-b2568499.html