- Chinese researchers have found a vulnerability that affects fast charging devices.
- Dubbed BadPower, the vulnerability corrupts the firmware of fast chargers.
- This can lead to the destruction of connected devices.
Fast charging is becoming commonplace in smartphones and other devices. As power and voltage increase, charging times decrease, making this technology a must for commuters. But while the convenience of fast charging is clear, the technology can also be used maliciously.
Detailed by the Tencent Xuanwu Laboratory (via ZDNet), a vulnerability called BadPower can modify the firmware of some quick chargers.
BadPower corrupts a fast charger and effectively stops the firmware of your chip and charging device according to a set voltage. Some quick chargers can push 20 volts, but some devices can only accept 5V safely. By overloading a device with more voltage than it can handle, the researchers found that it could cause some devices to explode into flames.
While the researchers used a “special device disguised as a mobile phone” to corrupt the firmware of a fast charger, the researchers believe that phones, laptops and other devices infected with the necessary “malicious programs” can be used in a similar way. BadPower may not seem as invasive as malware or ransomware to steal data, but it does demonstrate how an infected device or a damaged fast charger can physically destroy others.
Read: Faster charging cables – which one is the best for you?
The researchers also found that at least 18 of the 35 fast chargers they tested could be vulnerable to BadPower. Of those 18, 11 could be corrupted using “digital terminals” or phones and other devices that support fast charging. The chargers of the affected companies were not detailed.
To mitigate the risks, the researchers suggest that manufacturers add additional fuses to devices that support low-voltage fast charging. For users, they warn against easily distributing the charger on their phone or power bank to others.
The full report, which includes a dramatic video demo of the exploit, can be found here. In the meantime, be sure to catch up on the latest in fast charge and battery technology below.
