Researcher To Release Web-Based Android Attack 136
CWmike writes "A computer security researcher says he plans to release code Thursday that could be used to attack some versions of Google's Android phones over the Internet. The attack targets the browser in older, Android 2.1-and-earlier versions of the phones. It is being disclosed Thursday at the HouSecCon conference by M.J. Keith, a security researcher with Alert Logic. Keith says he has written code that allows him to run a simple command line shell in Android (video) when the victim visits a website that contains his attack code. The bug used in Keith's attack lies in the WebKit browser engine used by Android. Google said it knows about the vulnerability. 'We're aware of an issue in WebKit that could potentially impact only old versions of the Android browser,' Google spokesman Jay Nancarrow confirmed in an e-mail. 'The issue does not affect Android 2.2 or later versions.' Version 2.2 runs on 36.2 percent of Android phones, Google says"
Re:Anything that gets phone makers to update... (Score:5, Interesting)
N900 is pretty good. 3 core updates (I think) so far plus a upgrade to Meego when it is finished.
Also half the price of similar phones.
Re:That so called Researcher should be arrested (Score:3, Interesting)
"A computer security researcher says he plans to release code Thursday that could be used to attack some versions of Google's Android phones over the Internet. The attack targets the browser in older, Android 2.1-and-earlier versions of the phones.
How can he be permitted to release something, which when used as intended, does harm to others? This is insane...and he does it "in the light of day!"
Other tools that folks have used to harm others have dual use...but for this code, I do not see any use save for harm. What am I missing?
He is publishing code that can be used to exploit a vulnerability. This could be used for malicious purposes, or it could be used for security demonstrations, as an example to be taught to infosec students or any of a ton of other academic and/or security-related purposes. He is not actually using the code to do anything malicious. Please tell me exactly what statute he is in violation of? Are you saying that no one should ever publish code for exploits?
Re:Anything that gets phone makers to update... (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Risk outweighs benefit (Score:3, Interesting)
Even if you do have an AT&T Android phone, which I do, it is still possible to use apk (a tool found in the Android SDK) to transfer programs to the phone. It's pretty simple to use too. Of course, to get rid of the crapware AT&T installs, rooting is still required.
Re:Class Action Lawsuit? (Score:2, Interesting)
I've seen many comments on
Re:Class Action Lawsuit? (Score:3, Interesting)
One of the selling points of the Google Nexus One phone was direct support from Google, and therefore the quickest updates. The phone is quite a bit more expensive than the HTC desire/incredible, which is practically the same phone.
Re:Class Action Lawsuit? (Score:3, Interesting)