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The thrilling conclusion of Pwn2Own Automotive 2026
The final day of the Pwn2Own Automotive 2026 competition showcased remarkable skill and innovation. Security experts from around the world gathered to expose vulnerabilities in modern automotive systems. Over three days, participants revealed an astonishing total of 76 unique zero-day vulnerabilities, collectively earning more than $1 million in prizes. This event underscores the pressing challenges surrounding automotive cybersecurity.
The champions of Pwn2Own revealed
The recent Pwn2Own Automotive 2026 competition concluded with the remarkable performance of a trio from Fuzzware.io. Tobias Scharnowski, Felix Buchmann, and Kristian Covic achieved an impressive total of 28 points, earning them the title of Master of Pwn. Their standout moment came with the successful exploitation of the Alpine iLX-F511 infotainment system, a critical factor in their victory. Collectively, the team secured total earnings of $215,500, highlighting their significant prowess in this highly competitive arena.
Highlighting innovative techniques and remarkable achievements
Throughout the event, various teams showcased exceptional strategies to identify vulnerabilities in automotive systems. A noteworthy performance was delivered by Juurin Oy, who focused on the Alpitronic HYC50 charging station. They effectively exploited a time-of-check-time-of-use (TOCTOU) vulnerability, allowing them to execute arbitrary code on the system. This accomplishment earned them $20,000 and 4 Master of Pwn points. In a creative twist, they installed a functioning version of the classic game Doom on the compromised system, illustrating both their technical expertise and innovative spirit.
Another remarkable achievement came from Viettel Cyber Security, who successfully demonstrated a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in the Sony XAV-9500ES infotainment system. This exploit led to arbitrary code execution, showcasing significant security flaws within connected vehicle components. Their accomplishment earned them a reward of $10,000, underscoring the importance of addressing such vulnerabilities in automotive technology.
The trend of vulnerability collisions
As the competition progressed, a notable trend emerged among participants: several teams encountered collision events, where the same vulnerabilities were discovered independently. This phenomenon resulted in reduced bounties for the teams involved; however, they still received points in the Master of Pwn standings. Such collisions were reported across various target systems, including the Alpine iLX-F511, Kenwood DNR1007XR, and Grizzl-E Smart 40A. This pattern highlights the increasing awareness and exploration of vulnerabilities in automotive systems.
Common vulnerabilities and their implications
The 76 vulnerabilities disclosed during the competition highlighted critical areas of automotive ecosystems, including infotainment systems, electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructures, and vehicle head units. Key vulnerabilities included stack-based and heap-based buffer overflows, permission assignment flaws, race conditions, and link-following vulnerabilities. These issues pose significant risks, potentially allowing attackers to gain root-level access or execute arbitrary code, which could severely compromise vehicle security.
This year’s Pwn2Own Automotive event serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing security challenges in connected automotive technologies. As vehicles increasingly integrate with digital systems, the revelation of these vulnerabilities underscores the need for enhanced vigilance and proactive measures from manufacturers and developers.
The Zero Day Initiative will continue to monitor and report on these vulnerabilities, offering critical insights to vendors for timely patch development. This commitment to coordinated vulnerability disclosure plays a vital role in addressing security gaps in automotive systems. By doing so, it contributes to safer driving experiences for all users.