How to earn from Apple’s 17 crore Security Bounty Program

Introduction: The Opportunity of a Lifetime

Did you know that Apple pays people millions to find security problems in their products? It’s true! The Apple Security Bounty Program offers rewards as high as ₹17.5 crore (about $2 million) to those who discover serious security issues in their systems.

One security researcher earned over ₹82 lakh ($100,000) by finding a single flaw in Apple’s “Sign in with Apple” feature. Another received a similar amount for discovering a way to access iPhone cameras without permission. These aren’t just rare success stories – Apple has paid out millions to security researchers since expanding their program.

Have you ever wondered if you could earn such rewards? This article will break down exactly what Apple looks for, how to submit your findings, and what increases your chances of earning those big rewards.

Understanding the Apple Security Bounty Program

The Apple Security Bounty Program offers rewards up to ₹17.5 crore for discovering critical vulnerabilities. But what exactly is this program, and why does Apple pay so much money to find bugs?

What It Is and Why It Exists

Apple’s bounty program is one of the most lucrative in the tech industry. Started in 2016 with just a few invited researchers, it opened to everyone in 2019. The program allows security researchers to report vulnerabilities in Apple products and get paid for their findings.

Why would Apple pay strangers to find problems? Simple – it’s cheaper than dealing with major security breaches. A single major hack could cost billions in damages and lost trust. By paying researchers to find and report issues before hackers exploit them, Apple protects both their users and their reputation.

Who Can Participate?

Anyone can participate in the Apple Bug Bounty! You don’t need special invitations or credentials. However, you do need:

1. Technical skills to find and document security issues
2. The ability to follow Apple’s reporting guidelines
3. Patience for the review process

The bounty program rewards researchers based on the severity and impact of discovered vulnerabilities. The more serious the bug, the bigger the reward.

Qualifying for the Apple Bug Bounty

For a bug to qualify for Apple’s program, it must:

1. Be original (you must be the first to report it)
2. Affect the latest publicly available versions of Apple’s software or beta releases
3. Include clear steps to reproduce the issue
4. Present a real security risk to users

Apple doesn’t pay for bugs that:

1. Are already known to Apple
2. Only affect outdated software versions
3. Don’t pose actual security risks
4. Lack clear reproduction steps

The Importance of First Discovery

Being a successful security researcher requires both technical knowledge and persistence. Apple only rewards the first person to report a specific issue. This “first-come, first-served” approach means timing matters. If someone else reports the same bug before you, you won’t receive a reward – even if you found it independently.

Types of Security Vulnerabilities Apple Pays For

Apple categorizes vulnerabilities based on their impact and the access required to exploit them. Let’s look at the main categories and what they pay:

1. Physical Access Vulnerabilities (Up to ₹2.1 crore)

These require physical access to an Apple device:

1. Lock screen bypasses: ₹4 lakh to ₹82 lakh
2. User data extraction: ₹4 lakh to ₹2.1 crore

Example: Finding a way to access photos on a locked iPhone without the passcode.

2. User-Installed App Vulnerabilities (Up to ₹1.2 crore)

These involve security issues in apps:

1. Unauthorized data access: ₹4 lakh to ₹82 lakh
2. Privilege escalation: ₹4 lakh to ₹1.2 crore

Example: Creating an app that can access another app’s private data without permission.

3. Network Attacks with User Interaction (Up to ₹2.1 crore)

These require the user to take some action:

1. One-click unauthorized access: ₹4 lakh to ₹1.2 crore
2. One-click kernel code execution: ₹4 lakh to ₹2.1 crore

Example: A malicious website that steals data when visited.

4. Zero-Click Network Attacks (Up to ₹8.2 crore)

These require no user interaction at all:

1. Zero-click unauthorized access: ₹4 lakh to ₹4.1 crore
2. Zero-click kernel code execution: ₹82 lakh to ₹8.2 crore

Example: A vulnerability that allows hackers to access an iPhone just by sending a message (without the user opening it).

5. Lockdown Mode Bypasses (Up to ₹17.5 crore)

Finding ways around Apple’s strongest security feature:

1. Any vulnerability that bypasses Lockdown Mode gets double the normal reward
2. Maximum possible reward: ₹17.5 crore

The Apple Bug Bounty rewards researchers based on the severity and impact of discovered vulnerabilities. The highest rewards go to the most serious vulnerabilities that require the least user interaction.

Finding Security Flaws Worth Reporting

Finding iOS security flaws requires a systematic approach. But how do you actually find these valuable bugs?

Essential Skills Every Security Researcher Needs

Before starting your hunt, you should develop these skills:

1. Programming knowledge (especially Swift, Objective-C)
2. Understanding of operating system fundamentals
3. Familiarity with common security vulnerabilities
4. Patience and attention to detail

Being a successful security researcher requires both technical knowledge and persistence. You don’t need to be a genius, but you do need to be thorough and methodical.

Note : [ if you want to learn here is the full roadmap click here ]

Ethical Hacking Techniques for Apple Products

Here are some approaches to finding vulnerabilities:

1. Fuzzing: Send random or unexpected data to applications to see if they crash or behave strangely.
2. Code Review: Examine open-source components of Apple software for potential security issues.
3. API Testing: Look for ways to misuse Apple’s programming interfaces.
4. Feature Testing: Focus on newly added features, as these often haven’t been tested as thoroughly.

Many security researcher professionals focus on specific platforms or vulnerability types. Specializing in one area (like iCloud services or Safari) can help you develop deeper expertise.

How to Report Security Bugs Effectively

Proper vulnerability disclosure protects users while giving companies time to fix issues. Apple has a structured vulnerability disclosure process that must be followed carefully.

The Submission Process

To submit a vulnerability to Apple:

1. Prepare your report: Document the issue thoroughly with:
2. Clear description of the vulnerability
3. Step-by-step reproduction instructions
4. Screenshots or videos demonstrating the issue
5. Any code samples or proof-of-concept
6. Submit through the official channel: Use Apple’s Security Bounty website or email product-security@apple.com.
7. Wait for acknowledgment: Apple will confirm receipt of your report.
8. Respond to questions: Apple’s security team may ask for additional information.

A good security researcher documents their findings thoroughly before submission. The more detailed your report, the easier it is for Apple to verify and fix the issue.

What Makes a Great Report?

The difference between a rejected report and one that earns a big reward often comes down to quality. Great reports:

1. Clearly explain the security impact
2. Provide reliable reproduction steps
3. Include proof-of-concept code when possible
4. Demonstrate real-world attack scenarios

Submitting to the Apple Bug Bounty requires thorough documentation and clear proof of concepts. Your report should make it easy for Apple’s team to understand and reproduce the issue.

Success Stories and Tips

Let’s look at some real success stories:

Ryan Pickren: $100,500 (₹82+ lakh)

Ryan found a series of vulnerabilities in Safari that could allow websites to access a user’s camera without permission. His detailed report and proof-of-concept earned him a six-figure reward.

What made his submission successful?

1. He chained multiple small vulnerabilities into one serious exploit
2. He provided clear documentation of each step
3. He demonstrated the real-world impact

Bhavuk Jain: $100,000 (₹82+ lakh)

Bhavuk discovered a critical flaw in the “Sign in with Apple” system that could allow attackers to take over user accounts. His report was so well-documented that Apple verified and fixed the issue quickly.

Tips to Maximize Your Chances of Success

Want to increase your odds of earning a reward? Here are some expert tips:

1. Focus on High-Value Targets
2. Issues affecting their newest products
3. Vulnerabilities in security-critical components
4. Bugs that impact many users
5. Zero-click exploits (requiring no user interaction)
6. Improve Your Technical Skills
7. Learn iOS and macOS architecture
8. Study common vulnerability types
9. Practice reverse engineering techniques
10. Be Professional and Patient
11. Follow all program guidelines exactly
12. Communicate clearly and professionally
13. Be patient during the review process
14. Never threaten to disclose vulnerabilities publicly

Conclusion: Is It Worth Your Time?

The Apple Bug Bounty rewards range from ₹4 lakh to ₹17.5 crore depending on the vulnerability. But is hunting for these bugs worth your effort?

The answer depends on your skills, interests, and goals. Bug hunting requires technical knowledge, time, patience, and persistence through failures.

For those with the right mindset and skills, the rewards can be significant – not just financially, but also in terms of recognition and career opportunities. Many successful bug hunters have built entire careers from their findings.

Even if you don’t find a million-dollar bug, the skills you develop while searching are valuable in the cybersecurity job market. Each vulnerability you discover helps protect millions of Apple users worldwide.

So, are you ready to start hunting for bugs? Remember that success rarely comes overnight. Start small, learn continuously, and who knows – you might be the next researcher to earn a life-changing reward from Apple’s Security Bounty Program.