Hackers Earn $260,000 Breaking AI, Windows at Pwn2Own

Hackers earned a total of $260,000 in cash prizes on the first day of Pwn2Own Berlin 2025, a high-profile security competition that rewards researchers for identifying and exploiting software vulnerabilities. Participants demonstrated successful exploits targeting a range of platforms, including Red Hat, Microsoft Windows, Oracle VirtualBox, Docker Desktop, and artificial intelligence technologies.

The competition, known for its focus on uncovering zero-day vulnerabilities, provides a controlled environment for ethical hackers to test the security of widely used software products. Each successful exploit is independently verified before prizes are awarded.

The first day’s results highlight ongoing security challenges faced by major software vendors, especially as threat actors increasingly focus on virtualization platforms and containerized environments. The inclusion of AI in the competition reflects the growing relevance of machine learning technologies in cybersecurity.

Pwn2Own continues throughout the week, with additional prize money available for further successful demonstrations across multiple categories.