Developer Max Kellermann discovered a major security flaw in Linux kernel 5.8. According to his findings, this error also affects later versions of it. The vulnerability, which the developer named Dirty Pipe, affects all devices with an operating system dependent on the Linux kernel, such as androidsmartphones and tablets, Google Home smart speakers or Chromebooks. The flaw allows a malicious application to view all files on a user's device without their prior consent, but above all, it gives hackers the opportunity to run malicious code on their smartphone or tablet, for example, and thereby take control over it.
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According to Ars Technica editor Ron Amadeo, the number is androidof devices affected by this vulnerability is very small. This is because most phones and tablets with Androidem relies on an older version of the Linux kernel. As he found out, the bug only affects smartphones marketed with Androidem 12. Among them is, for example, the Pixel 6/ 6 Pro, Oppo find x5, Realme 9 Pro +, but also a number Samsung Galaxy S22 and phone Galaxy S21FE.
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The easiest way to find out if your device is vulnerable to the bug is to look at its Linux kernel version. You do this by opening Settings -> About phone -> System version Android -> Kernel version. The good news is that so far there is no indication that hackers have exploited the vulnerability. After being notified by the developer, Google released a patch to protect affected devices from the bug. However, it does not appear to have reached all affected devices yet.
