Security Blog
The latest news and insights from Google on security and safety on the Internet
One Year of Android Security Rewards
June 16, 2016
Posted by Quan To, Program Manager, Android Security
A year ago
, we added
Android Security Rewards
to the long standing
Google Vulnerability Rewards Program
. We offered up to $38,000 per report that we used to fix vulnerabilities and protect Android users.
Since then, we have received over 250 qualifying vulnerability reports from researchers that have helped make Android and mobile security stronger. More than a third of them were reported in Media Server which has been
hardened in Android N
to make it more resistant to vulnerabilities.
While the program is focused on Nexus devices and has a primary goal of improving Android security, more than a quarter of the issues were reported in code that is developed and used outside of the Android Open Source Project. Fixing these kernel and device driver bugs helps improve security of the broader mobile industry (and even some non-mobile platforms).
By the Numbers
Here’s a quick rundown of the Android VRP’s first year:
We paid over $550,000 to 82 individuals. That’s an average of $2,200 per reward and $6,700 per researcher.
We paid our top researcher,
@heisecode
, $75,750 for 26 vulnerability reports.
We paid 15 researchers $10,000 or more.
There were no payouts for the top reward for a complete remote exploit chain leading to TrustZone or Verified Boot compromise.
Thank you to
those
who submitted high quality
vulnerability reports
to us last year.
Improvements to Android VRP
We’re constantly working to improve the program and today we’re making a few changes to all vulnerability reports filed after June 1, 2016.
We’re paying more!
We will now pay 33% more for a high-quality vulnerability report with proof of concept. For example, the reward for a Critical vulnerability report with a proof of concept increased from $3000 to $4000.
A high quality vulnerability report with a proof of concept, a CTS Test, or a patch will receive an additional 50% more.
We’re raising our rewards for a remote or proximal kernel exploit from $20,000 to $30,000.
A remote exploit chain or exploits leading to TrustZone or Verified Boot compromise increase from $30,000 to $50,000.
All of the changes, as well as the additional terms of the program, are explained in more detail in our
Program Rules
. If you’re interested in helping us find security vulnerabilities, take a look at
Bug Hunter University
and learn how to submit high quality vulnerability reports. Remember, the better the report, the more you’ll get paid. We also recently updated our
severity ratings
, so make sure to check those out, too.
Thank you to everyone who helped us make Android safer. Together, we made a huge investment in security research that has made Android stronger. We’re just getting started and are looking forward to doing even more in the future.
Labels
#sharethemicincyber
#supplychain #security #opensource
android
android security
android tr
app security
big data
biometrics
blackhat
C++
chrome
chrome security
connected devices
CTF
diversity
encryption
federated learning
fuzzing
Gboard
google play
google play protect
hacking
interoperability
iot security
kubernetes
linux kernel
memory safety
Open Source
pha family highlights
pixel
privacy
private compute core
Rowhammer
rust
Security
security rewards program
sigstore
spyware
supply chain
targeted spyware
tensor
Titan M2
VDP
vulnerabilities
workshop
Archive
2023
May
Apr
Mar
Feb
Jan
2022
Dec
Nov
Oct
Sep
Aug
Jul
Jun
May
Apr
Mar
Feb
Jan
2021
Dec
Nov
Oct
Sep
Aug
Jul
Jun
May
Apr
Mar
Feb
Jan
2020
Dec
Nov
Oct
Sep
Aug
Jul
Jun
May
Apr
Mar
Feb
Jan
2019
Dec
Nov
Oct
Sep
Aug
Jul
Jun
May
Apr
Mar
Feb
Jan
2018
Dec
Nov
Oct
Sep
Aug
Jul
Jun
May
Apr
Mar
Feb
Jan
2017
Dec
Nov
Oct
Sep
Jul
Jun
May
Apr
Mar
Feb
Jan
2016
Dec
Nov
Oct
Sep
Aug
Jul
Jun
May
Apr
Mar
Feb
Jan
2015
Dec
Nov
Oct
Sep
Aug
Jul
Jun
May
Apr
Mar
Feb
Jan
2014
Dec
Nov
Oct
Sep
Aug
Jul
Jun
Apr
Mar
Feb
Jan
2013
Dec
Nov
Oct
Aug
Jun
May
Apr
Mar
Feb
Jan
2012
Dec
Sep
Aug
Jun
May
Apr
Mar
Feb
Jan
2011
Dec
Nov
Oct
Sep
Aug
Jul
Jun
May
Apr
Mar
Feb
2010
Nov
Oct
Sep
Aug
Jul
May
Apr
Mar
2009
Nov
Oct
Aug
Jul
Jun
Mar
2008
Dec
Nov
Oct
Aug
Jul
May
Feb
2007
Nov
Oct
Sep
Jul
Jun
May
Feed
Follow @google
Follow
Give us feedback in our
Product Forums
.
Follow