Dive Brief:
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Zimperium — a cybersecurity company specializing in mobile devices — announced Monday that Android devices can get infected by merely receiving a picture via text message.
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If infected, the flaw could allow a hacker to gain control of the device with Android software made in the last five years.
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The issue affects an estimated 950 million devices worldwide — making it likely the biggest smartphone flaw ever found.
Dive Insight:
The question now is how quickly Google can manage a fix. Experts often criticize Google for its fractured distribution system, with several groups standing between the company and its users.
According to CNNMoney, Google already sent a solution to its "partners," but it remains to be seen if any users have received the fix.
Chris Wysopal, an executive at cybersecurity firm Veracode, told CNN Money: "I'm interested to see if Google comes up with a way to update devices remotely... Unless they can do that, we have a big disaster on our hands."
