Malicious Image Can Render Android Smartphones Unusable

A device security expert known on Twitter as Ice Universe has revealed the existence of a harmful image capable of disabling Android smartphones. According to the researcher, this issue is especially relevant for Samsung mobile devices.

Based on information published by Ice Universe, a simple image can turn an Android smartphone into a “brick” if the user sets it as their wallpaper. Immediately after applying the image as wallpaper, the mobile device enters an endless loop of turning the display on and off, making it completely unusable. The expert notes that even restarting the phone does not resolve the issue.

Staff from 9to5google tested the method described by Ice Universe on a Pixel 2 smartphone. The problem was confirmed, proving that the vulnerability affects not only Samsung devices. The 9to5google team recorded a special video demonstrating the bug in action.

Do Not Attempt to Reproduce This Bug

Researchers strongly advise people not to try to reproduce this themselves.

At this time, experts are unsure about the exact mechanism behind this bug. However, there are suggestions that incorrect metadata in the image may be to blame. The Android smartphone simply cannot process this data, which causes the system to crash and turns the device into a useless piece of hardware.