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Nexus smartphones can reportedly be forced to reboot through SMS attack

30
Nov
2013

The latest Nexus smartphones can be forced to restart, freeze, or lose network connection because of an issue with the way they handle a certain type of SMS message, reports PC World. Security researcher Bogdan Alecu reportedly discovered that the Galaxy Nexus, the Nexus 4, and the Nexus 5 all contain a vulnerability that can allow attackers to interrupt use of the phone. By sending a Nexus phone around 30 flash SMS messages — a message type thats immediately displayed on the screen and requires action — an attacker can cause the phone to malfunction, frequently restarting or losing its data connection when the messages arent promptly dismissed. Among the issues, PC World reports, is that Nexus devices dont automatically alert users with an audio tone when a flash SMS message is received, allowing an attacker to send many in succession before a user catches on.

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