The shortcomings are due to the app lacking proper restrictions on who can access its code.
Security researchers at Trend Micro have discovered that the file sharing app Shareit for Android contains serious security flaws, reports Zdnet.
The security flaws can be used to run malicious code on smartphones that have the app installed. For example, the app’s functions can be taken over to run its own code, overwrite the app’s local files or install third-party apps without the user’s knowledge. The shortcomings are due to the app lacking proper restrictions on who can access its code.
The security researchers at Trend Micro say that they contacted Shareit regarding the shortcomings three months ago but did not receive a response. As a result, Trend Micro has decided to make the security flaw known to the public because it affects so many users.
According to Shareit’s own website, the app is used by 1.8 billion users in over 200 countries. The figure is also assumed to include the iOS app, which does not have the same security flaw.
