Discussion on:

Samsung: Exynos 5 processors are vulnerable to serious attack

Although vulnerability is serious, other brands have experienced this as well. And as far as it stands now, it is only a local attack -- not remote. I do not plan to stop using my S3.

I haven't read anything that says the attacker has to be in close proximity to the device, which implies that any malware--even a drive-by web page--may be all it takes. I'll admit I simply do not know and since the smartphone I use does not use an Exynos 5 processor (but rather an Samsung-burned A5 Apple-designed processor) I believe I'm safe from this particular attack.

As far as "other brands have experienced this as well," well even the article stated that, pointing out that the Exynos 5 processor is used in a number of different brands, though the user may not be aware of that fact.

any more info on what's being leaked or potentially being leaked from these phones?

Is it through bluetooth, NFC, website, link, download, etc? I use my Galaxy S3 for email and calendar, and so am set up with encryption and can easily do a remote wipe. Also, NFC is disabled, and I keep bluetooth turned off except when I'm in my car. I use secure encrypted networks, and never jump on unsecured, public wifi.

The developers released information about potential issues. My guess is that the nefarious types will try to create an app.

According to the XDA Developers and other blogs relating to this vulnerability, the Exynos 4 processors (specifically the 4210 and 4412 processors) are vulnerable, NOT the Exynos 5 processors!

Just read XDA Developers reports that mentioned v 4 being vulnerable but v 5 is not. Also mentioned here: http://www.fudzilla.com/home/item/29831-exploit-found-in-exynos-4-chips

An update has been made to this post, including verbiage about how the vulnerability was indeed found in Exynos 4 processors, not Exynos 5 processors as Gina originally stated. Thanks to Michael Kassner for pinging me and bringing this correction to my attention.

indeed found in Exynos 4 processors, not Exynos 4 processors

Aren't those the same Processors? So how can then be a fault but not a fault?

Did you make a Typo and should have had Exynos 5 for the second mention?

Col

How do they get your data, do they need physical access to the device?
Is the Google Nexus vulnerable?
All it grabs is RAM data, what use is that? Without context is would be gibberish.

The Galaxy S 3 doesn't have the Quad 4 processor. There were going to but switched to the Qualcomm X2 1.5 GHz MSM8960