Samsung Galaxy S4 has been considered as one of the most powerful smartphones in the market today. However, Israeli cyber security researchers reported that they have found a major security flaw in the device. According to the report, Samsung's Know security software leaves Galaxy S4 handsets under government and business use prone to hackers.

The claimed security hole allows malware to intercept important and confidential data. These include emails read and sent through Samsung Galaxy S4 handsets. While the Know software supposedly protects the data, it makes the more vulnerable according to the Wall Street Journal.

The Know platform offers a framework where people can store their personal data on the same device where they keep their work-related and sensitive files. These work-related and confidential files are protected separately through Samsung's security platform. Knox allows people to join these data for easier use.

The report highlighted what can happen to users in the worst-case scenario. Hackers will be able to access these data by installing a hostile code in the security flaw. This can cripple the overall security of a business or a government institution. Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel confirmed the findings of the report.

According to the researchers from the university, they categorized the flaw under "category on." This means it is a major security risk. Samsung has been notified of the researchers' claim. Nonetheless, the South Korean tech giant said that their initial investigations did not find the problem as grave as what the university's cyber security experts suggest.

"Rest assured, the core Knox architecture cannot be compromised or infiltrated by such malware," a Samsung spokesman told the Journal.

The company added that it plans to look into the matter further. However, the spokesman also pointed out those researchers from the university used incomplete GS4 devices. The tested GS4 did not come with the complete software package that businesses will have according to Samsung.

The researchers clarified that they used store-bought Samsung Galaxy S4 units for their experiment. People will have to wait for additional results from the researchers and Samsung to verify whether the security flaw is really grave including suggested solutions.