Firmware
Samsung patches security vulnerability in Exynos-based Galaxy devices
Day by day, we always hear incidents of digital vulnerabilities in one’s devices. In order to detect those, Google formed a team named Project Zero. Notably, this Project Zero’s team has found some severe 0-day vulnerabilities in the Exynos modem. Those vulnerabilities were found in various Exynos chipset-featured Galaxy smartphones and wearables in addition to Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 devices. So, let’s take a look at this.
Informatively, as we have mentioned above, many devices that have Samsung’s Exynos chip in them are prone to nearly 18 vulnerabilities, because of which some Galaxy S, Galaxy A, and Galaxy M series devices are affected. Galaxy devices that are affected by these vulnerabilities are listed below.
- Galaxy S22
- Galaxy A71
- Galaxy A53
- Galaxy A33
- Galaxy A21
- Galaxy A13
- Galaxy A12
- Galaxy A04
- Galaxy M33
- Galaxy M13
- Galaxy M12
- Exynos W920 SoC featured Galaxy Wearables
- Exynos Auto T5123 chipset featured vehicles
However, there is one problem, security researchers are unable to disclose these vulnerabilities until they are resolved. What’s worse is Samsung doesn’t seem to be concerned about them. Let us tell you, it’s been more than 90 days since the report came to the fore, and for it, the South Korean firm should have provided patches so far, but that didn’t happen so. However, Pixel 7 devices have got a patch for it.
As Samsung hasn’t provided any patch for this issue, those who are using any of those aforementioned devices should turn off the Wi-Fi calling feature and the VoLTE (Voice-over-LTE) feature and install the latest security patch.
In the March 2023 security patch, Samsung has addressed five out of the eighteen 0-day vulnerabilities that were discovered in Exynos modems. These vulnerabilities were identified as CVE-2023-26072, CVE-2023-26073, CVE-2023-26074, CVE-2023-26075, and CVE-2023-26076. However, one of the vulnerabilities identified as CVE-2023-24033, which was mentioned by Samsung Semiconductor back in January, may still remain unpatched and has passed Project Zero’s standard 90-day deadline.
It is worth noting that the remaining twelve vulnerabilities have not yet passed the 90-day deadline and have not been assigned CVE-IDs for security reasons. It is unclear whether these vulnerabilities have been patched or not, and for the time being, they remain undisclosed.
Furthermore, Samsung Semiconductor has updated its advisories and removed the Exynos W920 SoC as an affected chip, which Project Zero has followed. Overall, Samsung users need to update their devices with the latest security patch to protect themselves from potential security threats.
Samsung responded in the matter “At the end of last year, we received a security issue notification for Google project zero, and Samsung has provided all customers with a patch version for this vulnerability, and the related issues have now been resolved.”
Android 15
Android 15 Beta 1.2 Out with Crucial Fixes
Google has started developing its next big iteration, Android 15. To prepare it for the Android device, the company has already started rolling out the beta updates. Earlier this month, the company rolled out the beta 1 update, which introduced a plethora of new features. However, being a beta update, it comes with a lot of bugs, so to fix them, it introduced the next beta 1.1 update, which fixed a crucial NFC bug. Now that it has brought a new update in the form of the beta 1.2 update, it is also coming with a lot of new bug fixes.
What’s new with the Android 15 beta 1.2 update?
Google has officially announced that the company will roll out the new Android 15 beta 2.1 update, which will provide several new fixes related to the freeze display, fix a system performance issue, resolve a system setting crash when trying to add a fingerprint, and many more. Check out the official changelog below.
Android 15 beta 1.2 update changelog
This minor update to Android 15 Beta 1 includes the following fixes:
- I fixed an issue that sometimes caused apps to freeze and display an “Application Not Responding” message. (Issue #328865524)
- Fixed a system performance issue that caused excessive battery drain in some cases. (Issue #335718464, Issue #335188185)
- Fixed an issue that caused the system Settings app to crash when trying to add a fingerprint. (Issue #334035378, Issue #335481930)
- Fixed an issue that prevented the system back gesture from working in some cases. (Issue #331303569, Issue #334738577)
- Fixed an issue that could cause the screen to flicker repeatedly. (Issue #325555461)
The latest beta update is now live for all the eligible Pixel devices; more specifically, it has started rolling out to the Pixel 6 or nearby devices. The latest update is coming with the firmware version number AP31.240322.027. The latest update is coming with the same April 2024 security patch that has already arrived with previous updates. To check for the new version, you just need to go to the system settings, select software update, touch the system update, and tap the check for updates button. You may have to tap the button more than once to trigger the download, but if all this fails, then you can also manually install the update via official factory image files.
Firmware
Samsung serves April 2024 security update for the Galaxy M33 5G and Galaxy A23 5G
We are now at the end of April, but Samsung is still expanding the monthly update for the devices, even though it has rapidly distributed the update to almost all of them. This is due to server limitations, and now the company is rolling out the update for the Galaxy M33 5G and Galaxy A23 5G.
Notably, the Galaxy M33 5G and Galaxy A23 5G are getting an April 2024 security patch update with the firmware version numbers M336BXXS7DXD1 and A236BXXU5DXD6, respectively. With the latest update, these devices don’t get any significant changes but will enhance their security.
For your information, the April 2024 security patch update provides more than 40 fixes, whereas Google has added 27 fixes that address issues related to the Android OS. Meanwhile, Samsung has also added 17 more fixes that will improve the functioning of the Galaxy devices.
You can check for the latest update by going to the system software update via system settings. The April 2024 update will protect users against external threats that can harm important data and provide a seamless experience while using any feature.
If you haven’t received the update on your devices yet, then you should have to wait some more time. Sometimes it takes time to provide every unit of the device. However, once the update becomes available.
Firmware
Samsung expands 4G LTE TDD band support to several Galaxy A series in Europe
Samsung has recently introduced a new software update for multiple devices; however, initially it was spotted on the high-end devices belonging to the Galaxy S series and Galaxy Z series. Now, with the latest development, the company has started rolling out the update to several Galaxy A series devices.
According to the information, Samsung has made a significant software update live for the Galaxy A55, Galaxy A35, Galaxy A54, Galaxy A34, Galaxy A25, Galaxy A15 5G, and A15 4G. It is worth noting that the update has been detected in the European region and is expected to be limited to that only.
According to the latest update, the device will now support the 4G TDD band. However, Samsung has not provided any details about how this feature will benefit Galaxy device users. Based on my observations, it appears that the update will enhance stability and speed on the 4G network.
Here’s the build Numbers:
- Galaxy A55 5G – A556BXXU1AXC4
- Galaxy A35 5G – A356BXXU1AXBB
- Galaxy A34 5G – A346BXXU6BXD2
- Galaxy A25 5G – A256BXXU1AXC8
- Galaxy A15 5G – A156BXXU1AXC4
- Galaxy A15 4G – A155FXXU1AXC4
The company has stated that devices purchased in Germany and used in other countries, such as Belgium, Denmark, Germany, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic, will not function in the 4G TDD band.
If you are using any of the above-mentioned smartphones in Europe, then you should start getting new updates. To install them on your device, simply go to the software update menu via the system settings, wait for the update, and then hide the download button that appears.