Mobile Device Vulnerability Exposed: MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Chip Compromises Cryptocurrency Security

Hardware-Level Flaw Threatens Private Key Storage on Smartphones

Cryptocurrency users storing digital assets on smartphones face a newly uncovered hardware threat. Security researchers at Ledger have identified a critical vulnerability embedded in MediaTek’s Dimensity 7300 system-on-chip (SoC)—a component found in millions of smartphones worldwide. This permanent flaw exposes users to potential private key theft, creating significant risks for anyone managing crypto wallets directly on mobile devices.

The discovered vulnerability operates at the silicon level, making it impossible to patch through software updates. According to Ledger’s security team, the mobile device vulnerability stems from inadequate protections during the boot process. By applying electromagnetic fault injection techniques at precise moments during startup, attackers can bypass the chip’s security architecture and gain unrestricted access to the device’s core functions.

How the Attack Works: Persistence Over Precision

The exploitation method relies on persistence rather than precision. While individual electromagnetic pulse injections have only a 0.1% to 1% success rate, researchers demonstrated that automated repeated attempts significantly change the odds. “We can attempt fault injection approximately every second,” the Ledger team explained. “Each failed attempt simply triggers a restart, allowing another try. Within minutes of repeated cycles, an attacker would eventually succeed.”

This means the technical barrier to executing the attack is surprisingly low. An attacker needs only a specialized electromagnetic pulse tool and patience—not sophisticated hacking skills or stolen credentials. Once successful, they gain complete control over the affected device, enabling them to extract stored cryptographic data and compromise digital assets.

MediaTek’s Response: Consumer Devices, Not Security Hardware

MediaTek has addressed the findings by clarifying the chip’s intended use case. The company stated that the Dimensity 7300 was designed for consumer smartphones and mainstream applications, not high-security environments like hardware security modules (HSMs) or financial transaction systems. MediaTek emphasized that electromagnetic fault injection attacks fall outside the scope of threats the chip was engineered to withstand.

This distinction highlights a critical gap in the cryptocurrency ecosystem. While the MT6878 variant (used in specific consumer devices) may not have been built for financial applications, millions of users actively store private keys and conduct transactions on these exact chips anyway. The permanent nature of the silicon-level vulnerability means affected devices remain at risk indefinitely.

The Broader Implication for Mobile Crypto Users

Ledger’s research team, led by security engineers who conducted the initial investigation beginning in February with successful exploitation by May, has underscored a troubling reality: “There is no way to safely store and use private keys on these devices.” This statement carries weight given the widespread adoption of MediaTek processors in budget and mid-range smartphones popular in developing markets.

The vulnerability does not require physical proximity or advanced preparation. An attacker equipped with basic electromagnetic pulse equipment could target cryptocurrency holders within range, making this a practical threat rather than a theoretical one. For mobile device vulnerability assessments going forward, hardware manufacturers must prioritize fault injection resistance as a baseline security requirement.

The disclosure has prompted vendors using the affected chips to implement countermeasures at the firmware level, though security researchers acknowledge these measures remain incomplete. For cryptocurrency users, the safest approach involves avoiding direct private key storage on smartphones containing vulnerable MediaTek chips and migrating to dedicated hardware wallets or air-gapped solutions.