A hardware wallet manufacturer has identified a permanent security vulnerability in the chip powering Solana Seeker smartphones that could allow attackers to extract private keys and take control of devices. Ledger reported Wednesday the flaw exists in the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor and cannot be fixed through software updates. The chip powers multiple consumer smartphones marketed for cryptocurrency applications.
What Happened: Permanent Chip Flaw
Ledger researchers Charles Christen and Léo Benito published findings Wednesday showing they successfully compromised the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 through electromagnetic fault injection during the boot phase.
The technique allows attackers with physical access to bypass memory protections and security controls embedded in the system-on-chip.
Once the attack succeeds, researchers said there are no remaining technical barriers preventing access to stored data, including cryptographic keys used to secure digital assets.
The vulnerability affects the Solana Seeker, a device marketed as a mobile gateway for decentralized applications, along with other smartphones built on the chipset.
Success rates range from 0.1% to 1% per attempt, but the attack can be executed repeatedly in rapid succession. Ledger estimates that with sufficient attempts, full device compromise can occur within minutes.
The flaw is embedded in the silicon itself rather than software, making it permanent for all devices using the affected processor. MediaTek told Ledger the issue falls outside the design scope of the Dimensity 7300, noting the chip was developed for consumer smartphones rather than environments requiring secure enclaves comparable to financial infrastructure or hardware security modules. Ledger disclosed the vulnerability to MediaTek in early May after beginning tests in Feb., and the chipmaker subsequently notified device vendors.
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Why It Matters: No Fix
The discovery highlights persistent challenges in securing cryptocurrency holdings on mobile devices, particularly when hardware-level vulnerabilities emerge that cannot be patched through traditional software updates.
Unlike typical security flaws that manufacturers can address through firmware releases, this weakness remains exploitable for the lifetime of affected devices.
MediaTek said manufacturers handling sensitive cryptographic material should implement specific protections against physical attacks.
The timing coincides with Solana Mobile's announcement that it plans to launch SKR, a governance token for the Seeker ecosystem, at the start of 2026. The token will have a total supply of 10 billion, with 30% allocated to airdrops and 25% reserved for growth and partnerships. The remaining distribution includes 10% for liquidity, 10% for a community treasury, 15% for Solana Mobile and 10% for Solana Labs.
The company positions SKR as a way to give Seeker owners ownership in the platform through a linear inflation model designed to reward early stakers.
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