Trend Micro Celebrates Ethical Hackers with Over $1 Million in Prizes

In a remarkable demonstration of commitment to cybersecurity, Trend Micro Incorporated, a global leader in the field, awarded an impressive total of $1,024,750 in prizes to ethical hackers at the Pwn2Own Ireland competition. This event, held on October 27, 2025, highlighted the vital role that security researchers play in identifying vulnerabilities and enhancing digital safety across various platforms and devices.

During the competition, participants managed to discover and disclose 73 unique zero-day vulnerabilities affecting a diverse range of technologies, including printers, network storage systems, smart home devices, surveillance equipment, smartphones, and wearables. The depth of research showcased the current challenges in cybersecurity and demonstrated the skill and diligence of the hacking community.

Rachel Jin, Chief Platform and Business Officer at Trend Micro, expressed pride in the achievements of those who participated. "Our mission is to approach security proactively and gather the deepest threat intelligence in the industry. The 73 zero-day bugs discovered at Pwn2Own will directly help make the digital world a safer place," she stated, underscoring the company’s dedication to acting on vulnerabilities before they can be exploited maliciously.

The coveted title of “Master of Pwn” was awarded to the Summoning Team, who showcased their exceptional skills and claimed a cash prize of $187,500. Their contributions, along with those from other participants, are crucial in empowering vendors to patch vulnerabilities swiftly, thus enhancing overall cybersecurity measures. Research conducted at Pwn2Own allows Trend Micro to protect its customers from zero-day exploits an average of 71 days ahead of industry competitors, delivering a significant advantage over cybercriminals.

Notable exploits included using an improper input validation bug to gain access to a Samsung Galaxy S25, earning $50,000 for this significant finding. Additionally, the capabilities of teams like Interrupt Labs and Team DDOS were on full display as they employed innovative techniques, earning substantial rewards for their discoveries. Team DDOS, for example, achieved a massive $100,000 by exploiting multiple vulnerabilities within a router and a NAS device in a single go.

The event also emphasized the collaboration between ethical hackers and major tech companies. Although Team Z3 withdrew their attempt to showcase a zero-click exploit of WhatsApp, they ensured that the findings were shared privately with Trend Micro’s Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) and Meta, allowing for the vulnerabilities' timely patching. This underscores an increasingly cooperative approach in the cybersecurity landscape, where sharing vital information aids in fortifying defenses against potential threats.

Looking ahead, the next Pwn2Own competition, focusing on automotive cybersecurity, is set to take place in Tokyo, Japan, from January 21 to 23, 2026. This anticipation demonstrates the continuous evolution of cybersecurity challenges and the importance of staying one step ahead of threats.

As a trusted cybersecurity provider, Trend Micro is dedicated to enhancing the safety of digital transactions and communications across the globe. With more than 500,000 enterprises trusting their services, the company continues to advance its platform, Trend Vision One™, which integrates artificial intelligence to strengthen cyber risk management. With unparalleled threat intelligence, Trend Micro empowers organizations to proactively fend off hundreds of millions of threats each day.

The commitment demonstrated by ethical hackers at events like Pwn2Own is crucial as cyber risks escalate worldwide. Through innovation, collaboration, and rewards, the cybersecurity community can make significant strides in purging vulnerabilities, ultimately leading to a safer digital ecosystem for everyone.

For more information on Pwn2Own Ireland 2025 and to stay updated on the latest cybersecurity initiatives, visit Zero Day Initiative's blog.