---
title: Critical security vulnerability threatens Android phones with SMS attack
url: https://www.dataloco.com/en/critical-security-vulnerability-threatens-android-phones-with-sms-attack
published: 2026-11-03T14:20:32+00:00
language: en
section: Security
source: https://www.unlimit-tech.com/2026/10/%d8%ab%d8%ba%d8%b1%d8%a9-%d8%a3%d9%85%d9%86%d9%8a%d8%a9-%d8%ae%d8%b7%d9%8a%d8%b1%d8%a9-%d8%aa%d9%87%d8%af%d8%af-%d9%87%d9%88%d8%a7%d8%aa%d9%81-%d8%a3%d9%86%d8%af%d8%b1%d9%88%d9%8a%d8%af-%d8%a8%d8%a7/
organizations: android
publisher: Dataloco
---

# Critical security vulnerability threatens Android phones with SMS attack

A new security vulnerability has been discovered that endangers devices operating on Android 12 and newer versions. This issue, identified by security researcher Mark Blaszczyk, allows a specially crafted SMS message to disrupt certain functions of the phone, potentially rendering it unusable in severe cases. The vulnerability relies on sending a WAP Push SMS that contains data the Android communications framework cannot process correctly. Instead of displaying the message in the inbox, the system attempts to handle it in the background, leading to errors that affect device functionality. These messages can cause interruptions to phone calls and temporarily disconnect the device from the mobile network, while receiving multiple malicious messages can completely crash the phone.

The risk is heightened by the difficulty in restoring the device to its normal state, which may require specialized technical support. Unlike traditional phishing attacks, the attacker does not need to trick the user into clicking a link or interacting with the message; simply receiving the message on the phone initiates the attack, making it particularly dangerous. Researchers have noted the problem on Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones, but all devices running Android 12 or later versions may be vulnerable. Although Google initially did not recognize the issue as a security vulnerability when informed in May, the Android engineering team later developed a fix, which was included in the security update released in October for devices running Android 14 and newer.

Nonetheless, older phones remain at risk. The fix is based on a simple mechanism where the system identifies 20 potentially malicious messages and deletes any of them upon arrival instead of attempting to process them, thereby preventing the malfunction. To protect your phone, it is recommended to verify the installation of the October security update, especially for those using devices running Android 14 or newer. However, users of Android 13 and older versions currently do not have a similar solution in the mentioned update, leaving their devices still exposed to the vulnerability.

## This story in other languages

- [한국어](https://www.dataloco.com/ko/android-12-sms)
- [日本語](https://www.dataloco.com/ja/android-12sms)
- [Indonesia](https://www.dataloco.com/id/kerentanan-keamanan-mengancam-ponsel-android-melalui-pesan-sms-jahat)
- [中文](https://www.dataloco.com/zh/story-85)
- [Norsk](https://www.dataloco.com/no/ny-sarbarhet-kan-gjore-android-telefoner-ubrukelige-via-melding)
- [ไทย](https://www.dataloco.com/th/12-sms)
- [Deutsch](https://www.dataloco.com/de/schwere-sicherheitslucke-in-android-12-und-neuer-durch-bosartige-sms-nachrichten)
- [Français](https://www.dataloco.com/fr/une-vulnerabilite-menace-les-telephones-android-avec-des-messages-sms-malveillants)
- [Nederlands](https://www.dataloco.com/nl/nieuwe-beveiligingsfout-bedreigt-android-telefoons-via-kwaadaardige-sms)
- [Svenska](https://www.dataloco.com/sv/ny-android-bugg-via-sms-kan-gora-telefoner-obrukbara-endast-android-14-och-nyare-skyddas)
- [Polski](https://www.dataloco.com/pl/powazna-luka-w-androidzie-pozwala-na-zdalne-unieruchomienie-telefonu-przez-wiadomosc-sms)
- [עברית](https://www.dataloco.com/he/sms)
- [Español](https://www.dataloco.com/es/una-vulnerabilidad-de-seguridad-amenaza-con-inutilizar-telefonos-android-mediante-mensajes-sms)
- [Italiano](https://www.dataloco.com/it/vulnerabilita-critica-minaccia-i-telefoni-android-con-messaggi-sms-malevoli)
- [Türkçe](https://www.dataloco.com/tr/android-telefonlari-devre-disi-birakan-kritik-guvenlik-acigi-kesfedildi)
- [हिन्दी](https://www.dataloco.com/hi/edaraida-fana-ka-le-gabhara-sarakashha-khatara)
- [Русский](https://www.dataloco.com/ru/kriticeskaia-uiazvimost-v-android-pozvoliaet-otkliucat-telefony-cerez-sms)
- [Português (Brasil)](https://www.dataloco.com/pt-br/vulnerabilidade-ameaca-dispositivos-android-com-mensagens-sms-maliciosas)