To incentivize deeper research and attract top security talent, Google has significantly increased the rewards offered through its Chrome Vulnerability Reward Program (VRP). The Chrome Bug Bounty program, launched in 2010, has become a vital tool in Google’s ongoing quest to fortify Chrome’s security and make it the most secure browser available.
The updated reward structure, announced on August 28, 2024, offers researchers the potential to earn a staggering $250,000 for uncovering and reporting critical vulnerabilities. This represents a substantial increase from the previous maximum reward of roughly $115,000.
Targeting the Most Critical Flaw
The most significant reward hikes target vulnerabilities that have the potential to cause the most damage. Google is particularly focused on identifying and patching memory corruption bugs in non-sandboxed processes. These vulnerabilities, if exploited, could allow attackers to execute malicious code directly on a user’s system, bypassing Chrome’s security measures.
For successfully uncovering such a vulnerability, researchers can now earn a record-breaking $250,000 reward. This figure can climb even higher if the exploit bypasses additional security layers within Chrome’s renderer process.
Chart describing new bounties. Source: Google Bug Hunters WebsiteRewarding In-Depth Research
While the headline-grabbing maximum reward is sure to attract attention, Google emphasizes a broader objective with the updated VRP. The increased rewards are also designed to encourage researchers to delve deeper into the potential consequences of identifying vulnerabilities.
By offering higher payouts for reports that include a thorough analysis of the exploit’s potential impact, Google aims to empower researchers to not only identify the flaw but also provide valuable insights into how it could be leveraged by attackers. This additional information is crucial for Google’s security teams as they work to develop robust patches and mitigate the risks associated with the vulnerability.
Beyond Memory Corruption
The revamped VRP reward structure extends beyond memory corruption vulnerabilities. Google is offering increased rewards across various categories of security flaws, with payouts tailored to the severity and potential impact of the exploit.
For instance, researchers uncovering high-quality reports detailing client-side vulnerabilities that could lead to cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks or bypass site isolation mechanisms can earn up to $30,000.
Table of non-memory vulnerability issue payments. Source: Google’s Bug Hunters WebsiteFurthermore, Google has placed a specific focus on vulnerabilities that could compromise the integrity of the MiraclePtr technology, a key component in Chrome’s defense against use-after-free exploits. Researchers successfully identifying a bypass for MiraclePtr can now claim a reward of $250,128, a significant increase from the previous amount.
Google also categorizes and will reward reports for other classes of vulnerabilities depending on their quality, impact, and potential harm to Chrome users as:
Lower impact: low potential for exploitability, significant preconditions to exploit, low attacker control, low risk/potential for user harm
Moderate impact: moderate preconditions to exploit, fair degree of attacker control
High impact: straight-forward path to exploitability, demonstrable and significant user harm, remote exploitability, low preconditions to exploit
A Growing Trend in Bug Bounties
By attracting top security researchers and incentivizing in-depth analysis of vulnerabilities, Google aims to stay ahead of the curve in the ongoing battle against cyber threats.
Google’s increased VRP rewards are part of a broader trend within the cybersecurity industry. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, companies are increasingly turning to bug bounty programs to identify and address vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.
By offering lucrative rewards, these programs attract skilled security researchers who dedicate their time and expertise to uncovering critical flaws. This collaborative approach to security helps companies like Google stay ahead of the evolving threat landscape and ensure the safety of their users.
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