Samsung patches fingerprint vulnerability in the Galaxy S10, Note10

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  The Samsung Galaxy S10. [credit: Ron Amadeo ]

Samsung is issuing a patch for the Galaxy S10 and Note10, which both had fingerprint-reader flaws that were exposed last week. The phones' in-screen fingerprint sensors would unlock seemingly for anyone, just by placing a clear silicon phone case over top of the sensor. Samsung doesn't seem to have any official communication that the patch is available, but reports have surfaced from both Reuters and Reddit that a patch is out there.

After the news broke last week, Samsung acknowledged some Galaxy Note10 and S10 fingerprint problems in a press release, saying "This issue involved ultrasonic fingerprint sensors unlocking devices after recognizing three-dimensional patterns appearing on certain silicone screen protecting cases as users' fingerprints." Samsung went on to say "We advise that Galaxy Note10/10+ and S10/S10+/S10 5G users who use such covers to remove the cover, delete all previous fingerprints, and newly register their fingerprints."

Samsung's statement last week and the patch release notes don't correctly describe the fingerprint issue that people have been experiencing. That has us wondering if the fingerprint flaw is actually fixed.

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