Google Nexus Android 4.4.2 Kitkat OS: Class 0 SMS Threat Eliminated with the Update

The popular Class 0 DoS SMS virus on Google Nexus devices will reportedly be eliminated with the roll out of Android 4.4.2 Kitkat update. The virus was first discovered by Bogdan Alecu, a security researcher.

This SMS virus was publicized by Alecu in November, after informing Google about it about a year ago. The SMS virus is said to affect only Nexus devices, including the latest Google Nexus 5.

Class 0 SMS are special type of short messages, which is shown directly on the screen of the device, without any notification sound or alerts. Sending multiple Class 0 messages to Nexus devices can lead the handset to reboot, become unresponsive or lose data and voice connectivity until restarted.

Class 0 SMS details can be seen here.

According to the changelog revealed by FunkyAndroid, an Android development company, the Android 4.4.2 Kitkat (KOT49H) has fixed the vulnerability and the problem doesn't exist any longer,  reports Android Authority.

Few other problems fixed in the Android 4.4.2 Kitkat OS include:

• Fix OOBE crash/DoS after receiving 0-byte WAP push
• Reduce logging of flattened Preferences
• Put fragment in specific activity's whitelist

Android 4.4.2 Kikat OS update has already begun rolling out and if users have not yet received the update, they can sideload the update.

Here are the download .zip links for Android 4.4.2 Kitkat available from Google for all the devices. The links are classified on the basis of their build.

Download link.

Users can flash these factory images using the sideloading guide mentioned below.

What You Need

• Google Nexus Device with latest drivers installed.
• A microUSB cable.
• Windows PC/Linux/Mac.
• Latest Android SDK version. Checkhere.
• Zip file containing the Android 4.4.2 Kitkat OS Update for the device. (Can be downloaded from the link mentioned above.)
• Laptop connected to a power point or fully charged. Nexus device also fully charged.

Steps

• Create a backup data before beginning (Optional).
• Install the latest Android SDK file.
• Plug in the Nexus device to the PC.
• Go to Settings > About Phone > Tap on Build Number several times till the message shows "You are now a Developer"
• Exit from "About Phone" and find the "Developer Options" settings. Enable USB debugging.
• In Platform-Tools in SDK file, hold SHIFT and the right-click and choose "Open command prompt..."
• Type "adb devices" to test that the adb is up and running and the device is recognized.
• After typing, the user should get a serial number followed by the "device".
• Download the ZIP file for the Nexus device to the PC.
• Move the file into the Platform-Tools folder in SDK.
• Type "adb reboot bootloader" > The device will reboot to the bootloader.
• Use Volume Down on the device until it displays "Recovery."
• Select it using the Power Button.
• The device will boot to an Android logo with an exclamation mark.
• Press Volume Up and Power at the same time to jump past this.
• The user will now be in stock recovery.
• Use Volume Down to scroll and Power button to choose the option "apply update from ADB."
• In PC, type the command "adb sideload ".

(Before typing the command, give an easy name to the ZIP file, for instance nexus7.zip and type the command "adb sideload nexus7.zip")

• If the adb is running properly, the user would see the file transfer to the device in adb.
• Once finished, the device will begin to update.
• Once done, simply reboot the device and enjoy the update.

[Disclaimer: The above mentioned steps are not guaranteed to work exactly as stated. International Business Times would not be responsible for any loss of data from the device while implementing the steps. More details can be seen here on Droid Life.]