Phones
Samsung Galaxy S24 Hacked: Critical vulnerabilities exposed at Pwn2Own
Samsung Galaxy S24 has been hacked at Pwn2Own Ireland 2024. Samsung’s newest flagship phones come with top-notch security solutions. However, an elite hacker used different bugs to hack the smartphone.
At Pwn2Own 2024, Ken Gannon of NCC Group used five different bugs, including a path traversal, to get a shell and install an app on the Galaxy S24. Successful execution earned him a whopping $50,000 and 5 Master of Pwn points.
On October 23, Ken Gannon exploited five security vulnerabilities to compromise an S24 device by getting shell access and installing an arbitrary application. We’ve heard security compromises validated on previous older Samsung phones too.
Pwn2Own is a hacker-specific event that happens twice a year. It’s one of the best platforms for ethical hackers to win massive bounties in favor of executing suspected codes or compromising a handset’s security and privacy.
The hacker who compromised Galaxy S24’s security will keep the bug’s details private for a grace period of 90 days. It will only be shared with Samsung and the Pwn2Own organisers the Trend Micro Zero-Day Initiative.
Think if this bug may have been discovered by a spy or hacker. Your phone’s data and privacy may have been compromised even without any sign. Pwn2Own is a cool competition that awards thousands of dollars to hackers and boosts security.
Many Galaxy phones were indeed rendered insecure during Pwn2Own contests. The company has no issues giving away its flagship devices for security checks. Ultimately, it’s in favor of Galaxy users as these flaws will now be resolved in future OTA.
TSMC will produce the next-gen Tensor chipsets for Google Pixel 10 and beyond. Starting with the original Tensor, Samsung Foundry manufactured chipsets for Google until this year’s launch of the Pixel 9 series’ Tensor G4.
Recently, AndroidAuthority revealed a Tensor roadmap covering key info on Pixel 10 and Pixel 11’s chipsets. Google is reportedly planning Apple iPhone equivalent chipset strategy for future Pixel smartphone releases.
Tensor G5 (Pixel 10)
The Tensor G5’s CPU (TSMC’s N3E node) could use the Arm Cortex-X4 the same as the Tensor G4. However, the next Tensor will have a 1+5+2 with five performance/middle Cortex-A725 (from A720) and two Cortex-A520.
Besides 14% better TPU, the processor is said to use a new GPU made by Imagination Technologies. It is reported to be a similar chipset that Apple used in the past. It will bring ray tracing and GPU virtualization for accelerated graphics to the Pixel 10 series.
Tensor G6 (Pixel 11)
Key specs of Google Pixel 11’s potential Tensor G6 chipset have also been revealed. The chip is codenamed “Malibu” and is expected to be fabricated using the TSMC N3P process having a 1+6 core configuration.
Tensor G6 could feature unannounced Arm X5 (Cortex-X930) and Cortex-A730 cores. It’s a move similar to Qualcomm’s approach with Snapdragon 8 Elite. A newer Imagination Technologies GPU could also be paired with 15% less power consumption.
Samsung Foundry is facing issues with yield rate, leading it to face major drawbacks. The company failed to attract major clients for contract chip production. Google also switched Samsung with TSMC for future Tensor chipsets.
Samsung could use Snapdragon 8 Elite in the Galaxy S25 series globally. Chances are high that the next year’s Galaxy S26 series could not use the Exynos processor. Meanwhile, Korean media revealed Samsung’s chipset strategy for the Galaxy S25, S26, and S27 series.
A new report talks about Samsung’s chipset strategy for future models including the Galaxy S25, S26, and S27 lineup. Exynos 2500 is almost canceled, with Exynos 2600 unlikely as Exynos 2700 is already in the works.
Samsung’s 3nm process node apparently flopped in its second attempt. The Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch Ultra’s Exynos chip is manufactured using a 3nm process. However, the yield rate is quite low, which can’t be considered for production.
Samsung is considering equipping the Galaxy S25 family with Snapdragon 8 Elite. Qualcomm has recently made its latest chipset available. It boasts custom Oryon CPU, upgraded NPU and enhanced GPU for exceptional performance.
The South Korean tech giant is already working on Exynos 2700 under the project name Ulysses. This chipset is expected to be manufactured using Samsung Foundry’s second-generation 2nm process technology.
Exynos 2700 is rumored to feature a 12% performance increase, a 25% reduction in power consumption, and a reduced area size by 8%. The SoC could be mass-produced by the end of 2026 to debut with the S27 series in early 2027.
For now, take this info as a grain of salt.
Samsung Galaxy S25 family could end up using Snapdragon 8 Elite internationally. Qualcomm has recently launched its most powerful mobile chipset. Exynos or Dimensity are not reportedly planned for Samsung’s next flagships.
Snapdragon 8 Elite is Qualcomm’s first mobile chip made using TSMC’s 3nm process. The processor boasts a second-gen Oryon CPU, enhanced GPU, and upgraded NPU, offering exceptional performance to the next Android flagships.
Samsung is failing to proceed with Exynos 2500’s mass production. The company is reported to have lower-than-expected yields from the 3nm process. That said, it won’t be possible to commercialize Exynos 2500 this year.
Following Samsung’s yield rate concerns, it was reported that the Galaxy S25 could use a MediaTek Dimensity 9400 processor. However, it doesn’t appear to be happening anytime soon, while plans are rumored for Galaxy S25 FE.
Tipster IceUniverse recently revealed that the Galaxy S25 series uses Snapdragon 8 Elite. The source also denied the possibility of an Exynos 2500 or Dimensity 9400 chipset in Samsung’s upcoming flagship lineup.
Samsung Galaxy S25 series uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. Not the Exynos 2500 and Dimensity 9400
— ICE UNIVERSE (@UniverseIce) October 23, 2024
It comes as a major development in Galaxy S25’s chipset harmony. The Exynos 2500 failing to be mass-produced indicates a crisis at Samsung Elec. Although Galaxy fans are happy, it’s not good news for the smartphone manufacturer.
Samsung Galaxy S25 with Snapdragon – A global affair
Samsung launched Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus with Exynos and Snapdragon chips. The US, as usual, gets Snapdragon variants. Meanwhile, most markets getting Exynos 2400-powered Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus smartphones.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is equipped with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in all markets. The S25 Ultra was rumored to ship with Snapdragon 8 Elite regardless of region. The latest developments suggest the same processor for all variants in all markets.