Apple Unveils Staggering $2 Million Bounty for Elite Zero-Click RCE Vulnerabilities

In a groundbreaking move that underscores the escalating stakes in cybersecurity, Apple has dramatically amplified its bug bounty program, now offering an unprecedented $2 million reward for the discovery of critical zero-click remote code execution (RCE) vulnerabilities. This colossal sum is designed to attract the world's most elite security researchers, challenging them to unearth flaws that pose the gravest threat to user privacy and device integrity.

The Cupertino giant's revised 'Apple Security Bounty' program, updated on its official website, explicitly targets zero-click RCE exploits affecting the kernel of iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and watchOS.

The ultimate prize – a staggering $2,000,000 – is reserved for vulnerabilities that achieve 'persistent installation,' meaning the exploit can survive a reboot and maintain control over the device without any user interaction.

This significant increase from the previous maximum of $1 million signals Apple's deep concern over sophisticated attacks, particularly those employed by state-sponsored entities.

Zero-click RCEs are the holy grail for intelligence agencies and cybercriminals alike, as they allow for silent, remote compromise of devices. The most infamous example is NSO Group's Pegasus spyware, which has exploited such vulnerabilities to target journalists, activists, and dissidents globally.

Beyond the headline-grabbing $2 million, Apple has also introduced new bounty categories and substantially increased payouts for existing ones.

For instance, a zero-click RCE without persistence can still net a researcher up to $1,000,000. Similarly, lock screen bypasses, network attacks, and other critical security flaws now command significantly higher rewards, reflecting the evolving threat landscape and the value of proactive security research.

The bounty program's enhancements are directly linked to Apple's Security Research Device Program (SRDP), which provides specially configured iPhones to trusted researchers.

These devices offer unprecedented access to the internal workings of iOS, facilitating deeper analysis and the discovery of elusive bugs. The SRDP, combined with the elevated bounties, creates a powerful incentive for the security community to focus its formidable talents on Apple's platforms.

Apple's move is a clear acknowledgment that even with its industry-leading security measures, the battle against advanced persistent threats (APTs) requires constant vigilance and the collaborative efforts of the global research community.

By offering such substantial rewards, Apple hopes to steer these powerful exploits into responsible disclosure channels, preventing them from falling into the hands of malicious actors and safeguarding the hundreds of millions of users who rely on its ecosystem.