Credit: Joe Maring / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Google is integrating the Rust programming language into the Pixel 10’s modem firmware to mitigate memory-safety vulnerabilities such as buffer overflows.
- The shift allows the modem to block Remote Code Execution (RCE) attempts triggered by malicious radio signals or SMS that require no user interaction.
- While the change doesn’t affect signal strength or speed, it addresses a security vector that has been ignored by many in the industry for decades.
Practically all of us take the modem in our phones for granted. It’s a crucial component that controls network-related functions on your phone, and because of its importance, the modem runs complex and proprietary code that is notoriously difficult to secure. Google has now announced a significant shift in its security strategy, revealing that it has successfully integrated the Rust programming language into the Pixel’s baseband firmware.
While the current Pixel 9 already includes initial mitigations, the Pixel 10 is the first Pixel to feature proactive, memory-safe Rust code deeper within its modem architecture (h/t ArsTechnica).
