The cybersecurity department of Ledger has published a report on a serious hardware vulnerability affecting a number of Android smartphones. According to experts, the issue could lead to the compromise of private keys and the loss of cryptocurrency $BTC assets. The vulnerability is deemed 'unfixable', making the situation particularly significant for users actively working with digital assets on mobile devices.
What is known about the vulnerability: the cause is the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chip
According to Ledger, the vulnerability has been identified in the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor (MT6878). This chip is installed in modern mid-range smartphones and is used in a popular line of Android devices. Among them is the Solana Seeker smartphone, released at the end of 2023–2024, aimed at the Solana ecosystem and interaction with cryptocurrency applications.
The problem lies in the boot ROM, which controls the initial stage of device startup. Since this component is hardwired into the hardware of the processor, it cannot be fixed or updated by traditional methods.
Why this is important for cryptocurrency users
Ledger notes that the vulnerability affects the fundamental security mechanisms that ensure the storage of private keys. According to the report, smartphones with this chip can be subjected to various types of attacks without the need for physical access to the device.
Among the possible scenarios:
interference at the low-level code
zero-click attacks
injection of malicious modules
bypassing Android security mechanisms
interception of cryptographic operations
The company warns that devices based on MediaTek Dimensity 7300 should not be used as a means of storing cryptocurrency, regardless of the chosen mobile wallet.
MediaTek's position: the threat is considered unlikely
MediaTek promptly commented on Ledger's publication. Company representatives stated that attacks of this level are 'practically impractical' for mass-market devices. MediaTek noted that the Dimensity 7300 chip was not designed for financial services, highly secure systems, and long-term storage of confidential information.
The company emphasized that the processor was designed within the standard requirements of the consumer market and does not represent a specialized solution for $ETH cryptocurrency assets.
What this means for cryptocurrency holders
Although MediaTek assesses the risk as low, cryptocurrency industry experts point out an important detail: the vulnerability concerns the base level of the device — the boot ROM, which cannot be updated or patched.
For users, this means:
risk of losing control over private keys
potential compromise of cryptocurrency wallets
increased vulnerability when interacting with DeFi applications
threat to the storage of NFTs, tokens, and other digital assets
Ledger emphasizes that any crypto operations performed on smartphones with this processor are under potential threat.
How to protect your assets: recommendations from industry experts
Security experts advise crypto users to adhere to the following rules:
Do not store private keys or seed phrases on smartphones using MediaTek Dimensity 7300.
Use hardware wallets for long-term storage of cryptocurrency.
Exclude the execution of critical transactions on devices vulnerable to the exploit.
Conduct transactions through reliable and verified ecosystems.
Regularly update the software, even if it concerns an unsolvable hardware problem — this reduces the number of potential attack vectors.
How the market reacts to the news
At the time of preparing the material, the official cryptocurrency market $BNB did not demonstrate sharp price changes related to the publication of Ledger. However, analysts note that the news may affect the demand for specialized crypto devices and increase interest in hardware wallets.
Considering the significant market share held by devices with MediaTek chips, the potential number of affected users remains high.
What will happen next
Ledger plans to publish additional technical analysis, including a detailed breakdown of the attack vector. The Android ecosystem is expected to offer recommendations for app developers to minimize risks to a level acceptable for the general consumer.
Nevertheless, for crypto investors, the key takeaway remains unchanged: the hardware vulnerability in the boot ROM makes smartphones based on MediaTek Dimensity 7300 an unreliable tool for storing digital assets.
