Android users beware — if you own one of these budget smartphones, your device could be hacked with a simple video call

A man looking frustrated at his mobile phone.

• Unisoc system-on-chip (SoC) devices – usually budget smartphones – are vulnerable to a video call-based exploit
• Any smartphone can be used to place the call, with malicious code sent in call setup messages
• Despite attempts, Unisoc did not respond to the disclosure

Security researchers have demonstrated a weakness in several Unisoc SoC-based devices that makes them vulnerable to an exploit sent during a video call. The exploit can deliver root access of the target device to the attacker, placing them in full control of the handset.