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New zero-day startup offers $20 million for tools that can hack any smartphone
A UAE-based startup, Advanced Security Solutions, is offering up to $20 million for hacking tools targeting smartphones, appealing to government and intelligence agencies. The market for zero-day exploits has significantly grown, with various bounties for different platforms, raising ethical concerns about undisclosed company ownership and intentions.
Key points
- Advanced Security Solutions is a new startup based in the UAE, offering bounties for zero-day exploits.
- They offer $20 million for tools impacting any smartphone and have varying prices for different systems.
- $15 million for Android and iPhone exploits, $10 million for Windows, $5 million for Chrome, and lower offers for other browsers.
- Company claims to collaborate with 25+ governments, highlighting the operational significance of these tools.
- Security experts express concern over the anonymity of the startup and suggest scrutiny for ethical practices.
Why it matters
- The rise in zero-day exploit pricing reflects increased demand and technological advancements in device security.
- This startup joins a growing market initially pioneered by companies like Zerodium in 2015 that established benchmarks for exploit prices.
- The zero-day market has historical ties to government surveillance and cybersecurity, especially in the context of counter-terrorism.
The emergence of Advanced Security Solutions indicates a critical shift in the cybersecurity landscape, emphasizing the urgent ethical considerations as the zero-day market continues to expand.