Xiaomi previously launched its flagship Mi 10 in mid-February. At this event, the company also introduced a new 65W fast charger using Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology. However, this charger has been discontinued on many e-commerce platforms in China, primarily due to a potential security vulnerability.
According to reports, Xiaomi’s smartphone division received a warning letter about the risk from a third-party security group. This team believes that Xiaomi’s 65W fast charger has a security flaw and is susceptible to exploitation for malicious purposes.
Specifically, the product uses an eFlash/MTP chip, which is not only a read-only memory but also allows data writing, used to update the charging method and fix any issues in the future. However, the firmware is completely unencrypted, making it easy for hackers to modify.
In other words, hackers could alter the firmware to adjust the output voltage higher than allowed, directly affecting electronic devices and even compromising user safety. Therefore, Xiaomi has halted the sale of this 65W GaN fast charger on various e-commerce platforms, as well as in physical stores, for emergency reasons.
Notably, users do not need to worry too much as smartphones also have overcharge protection features. Therefore, if the voltage exceeds 20V, the overcharge protection will be activated to safeguard the internal hardware components of the smartphone.
However, some external accessories like headphones may be damaged if used with a charger that has too high an output. Xiaomi is currently working to resolve this issue, and if you happen to have purchased the aforementioned 65W GaN fast charger, you can contact Xiaomi’s customer service center for more information.