Android users, here’s why you need to update your phone right now

Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN) has issued a new warning for Android users. The government body has classified the new warning has “high severity” and has reported that multiple vulnerabilities have been found in the several versions of Android operating systems.

For those unfamiliar with CERT-IN, it is a nodal agency under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. It deals with cybersecurity threats like phishing and hacking.
What’s the warning

According to a recently published report, CERT-In has found multiple vulnerabilities in the Android operating system. These vulnerabilities when successfully exploited can allow an attacker to obtain sensitive information, gain elevated privileges and cause denial of service on the targeted system.
Devices affected
CERT-In hasn’t clarified what all devices are getting affected by this. However, considering the warning, it should apply to smartphones, tablets and other Android-powered devices that come with Google services.
Android versions affected by these vulnerabilities
The nodal agency has reported that the newly found vulnerabilities affect Android 10, Android 11, Android 12, Android 12L and the ‘latest’ version Android 13.
Why these vulnerabilities exists
Based on the information provided by CERT-In, these vulnerabilities exist in Android due to flaws in the Framework, Android Runtime, System Component, Google Play system updates, Kernel, Arm component, MediaTek component and Qualcomm closed-source components.
Vulnerabilities found
CVE-2020-29374
CVE-2022-34830
CVE-2022-40510
CVE-2023-20780
CVE-2023-20965
CVE-2023-21132
CVE-2023-21133
CVE-2023-21134
CVE-2023-21140
CVE-2023-21142
CVE-2023-21264
CVE-2023-21267
CVE-2023-21268
CVE-2023-21269
CVE-2023-21270
CVE-2023-21271
CVE-2023-21272
CVE-2023-21273
CVE-2023-21274
CVE-2023-21275
CVE-2023-21276
CVE-2023-21277
CVE-2023-21278
CVE-2023-21279
CVE-2023-21280
CVE-2023-21281
CVE-2023-21282
CVE-2023-21283
CVE-2023-21284
CVE-2023-21285
CVE-2023-21286
CVE-2023-21287
CVE-2023-21288
CVE-2023-21289
CVE-2023-21290
CVE-2023-21292
CVE-2023-21626
CVE-2023-22666
CVE-2023-28537
CVE-2023-28555
What users can do
CERT-In has advised users to apply appropriate patches when made available by manufacturers. To check if there’s an update available for your Android device follow these steps: