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Unpatchable Chip Vulnerabilities in Older iPhones Expose Crypto Seed Phrases

Unpatchable Chip Vulnerabilities in Older iPhones Expose Crypto Seed Phrases

First seen 1 Nov 2026, 10:18 UTC • •
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ThreatCluster AI
ThreatCluster •November 1, 2026 at 11:15 UTC
  • •Older iPhones (11 and earlier) have unpatchable BootROM vulnerabilities.
  • •Attackers need brief physical access to exploit these vulnerabilities.
  • •Users are advised to abandon existing seed phrases and create new ones on secure devices.

On November 1, 2026, Yishi Wang, founder of OneKey, warned that iPhone 11 and older models have unpatchable BootROM vulnerabilities that could expose wallet seed phrases to attackers with brief physical access. The two known exploits, checkm8 and usbliter8, affect a range of devices from the iPhone 4S to the iPhone 11 series. The checkm8 exploit has been public since 2019, while usbliter8 was disclosed in June 2026. Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities by putting the device into Device Firmware Update (DFU) mode and using specialized hardware to execute unauthorized code before iOS loads. This method leaves no trace, making it difficult for users to detect any compromise. Wang advised users to abandon their current seed phrases and create new ones on secure devices. He also recommended using strong passcodes and avoiding public USB ports to mitigate risks.

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Timeline

2026-06-01
usbliter8 exploit disclosed
The usbliter8 exploit, affecting iPhone XS, XR, and 11 series, was disclosed, adding to concerns over device security.
Tradingview
2026-10-31
Warning issued about iPhone vulnerabilities
Yishi Wang warned that iPhone 11 and older models have unpatchable BootROM vulnerabilities that could expose seed phrases.
Finance.Biggo
2026-11-01
Public warning about seed phrase exposure
Yishi Wang emphasized the need for users to create new seed phrases on secure devices to avoid exposure.
cryptobriefing.com

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Common questions

Which iPhone models are affected?
iPhone 11 and earlier models are affected by the BootROM vulnerabilities.
What should users do to protect their crypto assets?
Users should abandon their current seed phrases and create new ones on secure devices.
How can attackers exploit these vulnerabilities?
Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities by gaining brief physical access to the device and using specialized hardware to execute unauthorized code.