Google's Project Zero Discovers 11 Security Issues in Galaxy S6 Edge

The team at Google charged with looking for security risks may be called Project Zero, but its investigation into the Galaxy S6 Edge has revealed a much higher number of potential vulnerabilities.

According to a post issued by Project Zero earlier this week, an audit of Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge smartphones have at least 11 issues described as high-impact. These problems include security holes in the gallery app and email client. While original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) theoretically take a lot of time and effort to test their products for security risks prior to release, the Google researchers uncovered the flaws in just one week.

The Verge suggested that to some extent, the security issues in products like the Galaxy S6 Edge are to be expected, given the cutthroat competition among manufacturers and the challenge of standing out in the Android market. It remains to be seen whether BlackBerry, which is expected to launch its first Android device called the Priv, will do any better in keeping cyberthreats at bay.

Fortunately, Samsung is already working to make its products safer for consumers and businesses. Many of the script injection problems, JavaScript vulnerabilities and other flaws have already been patched, BetaNews reported. While at least three issues still needed to be dealt with at press time, Samsung received kudos from Project Zero for the speed of its response to the findings.

Of course, Android security has been an ongoing concern, particularly among enterprise users, which is probably why Google and Samsung committed to monthly updates earlier this year, Mashable pointed out. One of the interesting things about Project Zero’s work is the seemingly straightforward approach it has to finding the flaws: Teams attempt to gain access to unauthorized permissions through an app on Google Play or by injecting code into a phone and trying to maintain it, even if the devices were wiped clean.

The Telegraph noted that besides Samsung, a number of other OEMs are all expected to release updates of their devices supporting the latest version of Android. These include LG, HTC and Sony. Here’s hoping the next generation of Galaxy S6 Edge devices are a little more secure.

Shane Schick

Writer & Editor

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