Google has confirmed that a high-severity security flaw in its Chrome web browser was discovered by Apple’s Security Engineering and Architecture team (SEAR). As part of responsible disclosure, Apple’s SEAR team reported the vulnerability to Google, leading to the issuance of an update by the tech gaint to fix the issue. Surprisingly, Chrome paid Apple a bug bounty of $15,000 for the discovery and disclosure of the vulnerability, showcasing a unique collaboration between tech giants.
Role of Apple’s SEAR Team
Apple’s SEAR team is responsible for ensuring the security of operating systems across all of Apple’s product lines. They are renowned for their expertise in uncovering vulnerabilities within Apple’s own products, such as iOS. In the course of their security research, if they come across vulnerabilities in third-party products, they engage in responsible disclosure by informing the affected party, as exemplified in this case with Google and Chrome.
Google Vulnerability – CVE-2023-4072
Chrome’s WebGL implementation has a vulnerability called CVE-2023-4072, causing “out of bounds read and write” issues. WebGL enables interactive graphics in browsers without plug-ins. The vulnerability lets a program access data beyond allocated memory, posing risks to confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Google Approach to Disclosure
Google is handling the disclosure of the vulnerability cautiously by restricting the release of technical details until a significant number of Chrome users have updated their browsers. This approach ensures that potential bad actors are not provided with crucial information to exploit the vulnerability. It also indicates Google’s commitment to safeguarding its users’ security.
The Importance of Responsible Collaboration
Google discovered a vulnerability and issued an update promptly. This highlights responsible collaboration in the tech industry. Google acknowledged Apple’s contribution and rewarded it with a bug bounty. This reinforces cooperation and information sharing for cybersecurity. Currently, there are no known exploits for CVE-2023-4072, reassuring Chrome users.
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