NEWS  Security  January 13, 2024  Reading time: ~1 minute)

Max (RS editor)

Samsung is in the process of rolling out its much-anticipated January 2024 security update to select flagship phones, including the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S22, and Galaxy S21 series in Europe. The firmware versions include S91xBXXS3BWL3 for the latest flagship series, with Galaxy S22 users receiving S90xBXXS7DWL3 and S21 users getting G99xBXXS9FWL9, each weighing in at approximately 400MB.

Notably, the update is yet to make its way to FE devices, suggesting a staggered release for different models. The update, featuring an extensive changelog, addresses nearly 75 fixes, most of which are classified as "High" priority by the Korean company. Among the critical fixes is an enhancement to the "Notification service" to prevent potential unauthorized access by attackers. This fix is relevant for devices operating on Android 11 up to Android 14.

Furthermore, a crucial "High" level fix has been introduced for the Bluetooth pairing process on Galaxy devices, eliminating a vulnerability that could have allowed attackers to pair a device without user interaction. Additionally, users may find the return of Samsung's burn-in screen protection measures with this update. However, clarity on the inclusion of this feature is yet to be confirmed.

The update extends beyond the flagship series, reaching other Galaxy devices such as the Galaxy Z Flip 5, Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Z Flip 4, Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy A52 (5G), and Galaxy Note 20.

For users outside Europe, the update is expected to roll out gradually, and users are advised to check for the update manually in their Settings > Software update if it doesn't download automatically.

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