Using Android 14, 15, Or 16? CERT-In Says Your Phone Might Be At Risk

India’s cybersecurity agency, CERT-In, has released a new warning for Android users, flagging several security issues in Google’s mobile operating system. The advisory, numbered CIVN-2025-0293, marks the alert as high severity and lists Android versions 13, 14, 15, and 16 among those affected. Also Read: B by Lenskart AI Smart Glasses To Open Developer Access In India, Launch Expected By December

What CERT-In Says

According to the report, the new vulnerabilities could let attackers gain extra control over a device or run harmful code remotely. This means that, in some cases, hackers might access private data or cause the phone to crash. CERT-In has classified the issue as high risk due to the chance of data theft or system instability. Also Read: Google Maps Gets Gemini To Help You Navigate Easily Just Like A Friend! What's New?

The agency says these flaws are linked to both Android’s internal system and hardware components supplied by major chipmakers such as Qualcomm, MediaTek, NVIDIA, Broadcom, and UNISOC. Since these companies provide processors used across many Android devices, a large number of phones could be affected. Also Read: Google Maps to Get This Power Saving Mode On Android: How Will It Help You?

Who Could Be At Risk

The warning applies to all Android users and smartphone manufacturers. Phones running the affected versions will stay vulnerable until the latest patches are released and installed. CERT-In has also mentioned that the flaws could lead to data breaches or, in rare cases, complete device failure.

What Users Should Do

CERT-In has advised users to install all pending software and security updates as soon as their phone maker releases them. Manufacturers have also been asked to roll out fixes quickly after Google provides the updated patches.

Until updates are available, users should avoid downloading apps from unverified sources or third-party websites. It’s also a good idea to check for abnormal behaviour on the phone, such as overheating or frequent app crashes, and report any issues to customer support.

The alert is a reminder for Android users to stay updated and cautious until official fixes arrive.