Android 4.4 KitKat also affected by Master Key vulnerability

Android 4.4 KitKat also affected by Master Key vulnerability: Security expert Jay Freeman discovered another Master Key vulnerability in Android 4.4 that allows attackers to inject malicious code in legit apps.

The flaw known as “Android Master Key vulnerability” is considered a nightmare for Android OS, last July it was discovered for the first time and experts revealed that 99% of Android devices are vulnerable.

The Master Key vulnerability allows hackers to modify any legitimate and digitally signed application in order to include malicious code that can be used to steal data or to gain remote control of the mobile device.

The Master Key vulnerability was discovered and responsibly disclosed by Bluebox Labs that demonstrated that the Android vulnerability allows app modification preserving signatures. The flaw was fixed later with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean version, Google adopted as countermeasure the modification of app submission process to the Play Store to avoid the publishing of malicious application that have been packaged using such exploit.