Apple Doubles Bug Bounty to $2 Million, Reflecting Growing Importance of Vulnerability Research

Apple Raises Bounty for Major Exploits to $2 Million, Reflecting Growing Value of Vulnerabilities At the Hexacon offensive security conference in Paris on Friday, Apple Vice President of Security Engineering and Architecture Ivan Krstić announced a significant increase in the company's bug bounty program. The maximum payout for discovering a chain of software exploits that could be abused for spyware has been raised to $2 million. This move reflects the growing importance of exploitable vulnerabilities within Apple's highly protected mobile environment, as well as the company's efforts to prevent such discoveries from falling into the wrong hands. According to Krstić, "The value of these types of exploits is increasing exponentially, and we need to ensure that they are discovered and reported to us responsibly." In addition to individual payouts, Apple's bug bounty program includes a bonus structure, which adds additional awards for exploits that can bypass its extra secure Lockdown Mode as well as those discovered while Apple software is still in its beta testing phase. This means that the maximum award for what would otherwise be a potentially catastrophic exploit chain will now be $5 million. The changes to the bug bounty program are part of Apple's ongoing efforts to improve the security of its products and services. The company has been investing heavily in its security engineering team, with Krstić stating that "we're committed to making our products more secure, and we need the help of external researchers to do so." Since launching its bug bounty program nearly a decade ago, Apple has consistently increased the maximum payouts for discovering vulnerabilities. In 2016, the company offered up to $200,000, while in 2019 it raised the bar to $1 million. The implications of this move are significant, as it reflects the growing recognition within the tech industry that security is a top priority. As more companies invest in their own bug bounty programs, the value of vulnerabilities and the importance of responsible disclosure will only continue to grow. In terms of real-world applications, the increased bounty for major exploits could have far-reaching consequences. For example, it may encourage more researchers to focus on discovering vulnerabilities within Apple's products, potentially leading to improved security measures and a safer user experience. As the tech industry continues to evolve, it is clear that security will remain a top priority. With this move, Apple is sending a strong message about its commitment to protecting its users and maintaining the integrity of its products. Background: Apple launched its bug bounty program in 2014 as part of its efforts to improve the security of its products and services. Since then, the company has consistently increased the maximum payouts for discovering vulnerabilities. The current program includes a bonus structure, which adds additional awards for exploits that can bypass Lockdown Mode or are discovered while Apple software is still in beta testing phase. Additional Perspectives: Security experts have welcomed the move as a positive step towards improving security within the tech industry. "This increase in bounty reflects the growing importance of responsible disclosure and the value of vulnerabilities," said one expert. "It's a clear indication that companies like Apple are taking security seriously." As for what this means for users, it remains to be seen how the increased bounty will impact their experience. However, with more researchers focused on discovering vulnerabilities, it is likely that users will benefit from improved security measures and a safer user experience. Current Status: The changes to Apple's bug bounty program take effect immediately, with the new maximum payout of $2 million applicable to all submissions made after Friday's announcement. The company has not specified when or if further increases in bounty will be made. Next developments: Apple is expected to continue investing in its security engineering team and expanding its bug bounty program. Other companies may follow suit, increasing their own bounties for major exploits. The tech industry as a whole will likely see increased focus on responsible disclosure and the value of vulnerabilities. *Reporting by Arstechnica.*