Firmware
Govt Warns: Samsung Phones at Risk, Update Now
A high-risk warning for Samsung Mobile customers has been released by the Indian government’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), and it is known as CERT-In Vulnerability Note CIVN-2023-0360. The alert highlights important security flaws that affect Samsung Mobile Android versions 11, 12, 13, and 14. These flaws may provide attackers access to private data, allow them to circumvent security measures, and let them run arbitrary code on the systems they’re targeting.
A number of problems cause these flaws, including inappropriate access control in Knox features, a face recognition software fault involving an integer overflow, problems with the AR Emoji app’s authorization, and more. By taking advantage of these flaws, confidential data kept on the impact of the devices may become accessible without authorization. Users must apply updates for Samsung cell phones as soon as possible to reduce this risk. CERT-In highlights the possibility of attackers bypassing security measures by listing several vulnerabilities in Samsung goods.
By taking advantage of these vulnerabilities, malicious actors may be able to compromise the targeted system by gaining unauthorized access to confidential data and potentially executing foreign code.
Important to note, the Samsung phones affected are using Android versions 11, 12, 13, and 14. This includes popular models like the Samsung Galaxy S23 series, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, and more.
CERT-In warns that there may be issues within Samsung products.
- Improper handling of Knox Securities software bugs
- Knox Features’ improper access control
- Facial recognition software has an integer overflow bug.
- The AR emoji app is having authorization problems.
- There are several vulnerabilities for memory corruption in different parts of the system.
- The softsim library contents and incorrect data verification
- Incorrect user input in the Smart Clip application
- Unauthorised use of specific app interactions within contacts
Samsung smartphone users should upgrade their firmware immediately. It is imperative that consumers maintain constant watchfulness and upgrade their phones with the latest releases from the providers. Furthermore, use caution when opening links, installing applications, and accessing unidentified websites, especially if the software on your phone hasn’t been updated.
Also, an extremely severe rating has been provided by the CERT-In alert, which may worry those who use Chrome on their machines. The notice alerts users to the fact that many vulnerabilities in Google Chrome have been found that might allow attackers to run arbitrary code and get personal data by taking users to visit websites that are particularly targeted.
Thanks to “NDTV“
The Samsung Galaxy A55 5G is the latest premium mid-range smartphone on the market. It debuted with Android 14 and One UI 6.1. To maintain its security, the company has started rolling out the fresh April 2024 security patch update for the device.
As of writing, the April 2024 security patch for the Galaxy A55 5G has been spotted in several regions, including Europe, Asia, and some Latin American countries. More specifically, the European units of the Galaxy A55 5G are getting a new update with the firmware version number A556BXXS2AXD3. In Asian countries, the update is coming with the firmware version number A556EXXS2AXD3. Meanwhile, the Latin American units are getting a new update with the firmware version number A556EXXS2AXD4.
According to the official changelog, the April 2024 security patch doesn’t bring any major changes for the devices, but it will strengthen their security. According to the official documentation, the latest security patch will provide more than 40 fixes, and Google has added 27 security vulnerability fixes related to the Android OS. Along with this, Samsung has also provided 17 more fixes that remove the security-related bugs from the Galaxy devices.
Moreover, if you update your Galaxy A55 5G smartphone to the latest version, you may get some new changes that can improve the overall performance and stability of the devices. So if you are facing any issues, then the new software update may bring resolution for you.
To take advantage of new software improvements for your device to the latest version, if you are using the Galaxy A55 5G device in any of the above-mentioned regions, you can now install the latest software by going to the software update menu from the system settings.
Firmware
One UI 6.1 with Galaxy AI Feature update rolled out for Galaxy Z Fold4, Flip4, Fold3, and Flip3
Usually, Samsung expands the One UI update gradually to Galaxy devices, but today the company has released the One UI 6.1 update for several devices. After spotting the update on the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S21 devices, the update is now live for the older foldable devices, including the Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy Z Flip 4, Galaxy Z Fold 3, and Galaxy Z Flip 3.
It is worth noticing that all these foldable devices are initially getting the One UI 6.1 in South Korea. Users who own the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 can identify the latest update by the firmware version numbers F936NKSU2FXDC and F721NKSU2FXDC, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 are getting new updates with the firmware version numbers F926NKSU2IXDC and F711NKSU3IXDC, respectively. With the latest One UI update, the company will provide several new features that will enhance the device’s utility. It is worth noticing that the update is still using the April 2024 security patch.
Informatively, the One UI 6.1 update will also provide new Galaxy AI features that will surely elevate the device experience while using the different communication functionalities and many routine functions.
For your information, there are several Galaxy AI features, including Browsing Assist, Chat Assist, Circle to Search with Google, Edit Suggestion, Generative Edit, Interpreter, Live Translate, Note Assist, and Transcript Assist.
If you are using any of the aforementioned foldable devices in South Korea, then update the Galaxy devices to the most recent update. To do that, simply go to the software update settings under the system settings.
One UI 6.1 and Galaxy AI Features
- Circle to Search feature for instant search.
- Chat Assist helps to translate incoming and outgoing chats in real time and offers different conversation tones.
- Interpreter, which translates in-person conversations in real time.
- Live Translate helps translate phone calls in real-time.
- Note Assist improves the overall functionality of the Notes app.
- Transcript Assist allows for the recording of speech and offers transcription.
- Browsing Assist summarizes and translates web pages.
- Generative editing helps with advanced editing.
- Edit Suggestion offers advanced editing suggestions and options like remastering, erasing shadows, and more.
- Instant Slow-Mo helps to slow down high-action videos after recording them. (Limited Models)
- Generative wallpaper permits you to create as much wallpaper as you want.
- Photo Ambient Wallpaper allows the addition of special effects to the wallpaper based on weather conditions.
A short horror moment for a smartphone user is the end of software support! Samsung plays with monthly, quarterly, and biannual firmware security updates including patches for Android OS-related security issues and Samsung-specific security issues. Sad to relate, here we are listing the Samsung Galaxy devices that are losing their software support in 2024.
Samsung has its policies for allotting software support, according to which it delivers the software update on time, and once the device reaches the limit of update, the brand ends the software support for that. Initially, Samsung offered three major updates to flagship devices and two major updates to the rest of the Galaxy devices, then it expanded the limit and started offering four years of major OS updates to particular devices and three for the affordable ones. Now earlier this year, it promised seven years of major OS updates for its flagship Galaxy S24 series.
However, Samsung hardly ditched its software policies, but now things appear the opposite since the giants are shifting the Galaxy S20 and Note 20 series repeatedly between the monthly and quarterly updates list.
Hope your device will not be listed in the list, since here we are mentioning the software support ended devices list in 2024.
Galaxy A series devices
- Galaxy A71
- Galaxy A51 LTE
- Galaxy A02
- Galaxy A01
Galaxy M series devices
- Galaxy M21
- Galaxy M31
Galaxy Tabs & Foldable
- Galaxy Tab S6
- Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020)
- Galaxy Z Flip LTE
- Galaxy Z Fold2 4G
- Galaxy W20 5G
- Galaxy S10 Lite
- Galaxy Note 10 Lite