Xperia Z3 series getting new firmware 23.4.A.1.264 with full Stagefright fix

Sony is rolling out a new firmware update for its Xperia Z3 lineup such as Z3 Compact and Z3 Tablet Compact. Bearing version 23.4.A.1.264, the update is based on Android 5.1.1. Although it does not bring the higher Android version, it is an important update as it patches the Stagefright vulnerability discovered in Android devices.

Stagefright is a media playback engine in Android operating system, responsible for unpacking and playing the multimedia message service (MMS). This vulnerability allows hackers to get media privileges of the Android device when processing an MMS, without any need for end-user action.

Head over to Settings>> About phone>> Software updates>> System updates to fetch the new firmware manually. If it is not available yet in your region, as a safety measure, you can protect your Xperia phone by disabling the automatic download of MMS messages and deleting those from unknown senders, exercising caution when opening email attachments, connecting to well-known Wi-Fi networks and ensuring websites, services and application stores are authentic, as Sony suggested earlier.

Although Sony has already released a fix in October, this release brings a full fix for the vulnerability, according to Xperiablog. Thankfully the FTF files are now available for the above Z3 models, although not all variants of them.

You can use these files to flash the update manually on your phone, but note that installing incorrect firmware might brick your device, therefore check the model number of your phone before you get started with the flashing.

FTF files

Xperia Z3

Xperia Z3 Compact

Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact