Security backdoor discovered in Chinese manufacturer's smartphones

A security flaw has been discovered in smartphones made by the major Chinese manufacturer Coolpad (2369.HKG) that gives hackers complete control of the devices, The Guardian reported. The backdoor, named “CoolReaper”, appears in the software that powers at least 24 models of Coolpad, the world’s sixth-largest smartphone producer according to Canalys. It allows an operator to uninstall or disable all security applications in user devices and install malware that can steal information and inject content, according to a report by security firm Palo Alto Networks. Coolpad outsells Apple (AAPL.NASDAQ) and Samsung (005930.KRX, 005935.KRX) in Chinese market, according to IDC data, selling 37.2 million smartphones in 2013.