Updated Kindle Touch 5.1.2 Firmware Fixes Browser Security Vulnerability and Blocks Jailbreaking

A week ago, we reported on a serious security vulnerability in the browser of the Amazon Kindle Touch. This flaw allows attackers to easily access the entire reader and even read the data from the Amazon account. The security gap has been known for quite some time, but it has only recently gained more attention through various websites.

This is probably why Amazon has finally released an update to fix the vulnerability. Firmware 5.1.2 now resolves the known issue. The update also prevents the Kindle Touch from being jailbroken over the internet, which took advantage of the mentioned security flaw to open the reader for third-party software.

There are two ways to install the update: either keep connecting your device to a wireless network and wait for the update to install automatically, or download it from the Amazon homepage and install it yourself.

Before installing the new Firmware 5.1.2, you must ensure that

• version 5.1.0 or 5.1.1 is already installed on the device. You can check this in Menu -> Settings -> Menu -> Device Info.
• If that’s the case, you can download the approximately 1.5 MB file and transfer it to the reader via USB. Simply copy the file into the main directory of the device, i.e., not into any folder.
• Once that’s done, disconnect the Kindle and start the update via Menu -> Settings -> Menu -> Update Kindle.
• The update will start automatically. After about 5 minutes, you should return to the home screen, and everything will be completed.