Apple’s long anticipated Security Research Device program has launched, giving select security researchers access to testable iPhones that will make it easier for them to find iOS vulnerabilities.
The program offers security researchers specially configured iPhones with shell access, and special features such as advanced debug capabilities. The devices behave “as closely to a standard iPhone as possible in order to be a representative research target,” said Apple.
“As part of Apple’s commitment to security, this program is designed to help improve security for all iOS users, bring more researchers to iPhone, and improve efficiency for those who already work on iOS security,” according to Apple in a Wednesday announcement. “It features an iPhone dedicated exclusively to security research, with unique code execution and containment policies.”
To be eligible for the program, researchers must be a membership Account Holder in the Apple Developer Program and have a “proven track record of success” in finding security issues on Apple platforms.
The devices are provided on a 12-month renewable basis, are not meant for personal use, and must remain on the premises of program participants at all times, according to Apple.
“If you use the SRD to find, test, validate, verify, or confirm a vulnerability, you must promptly report it to Apple and, if the bug is in third-party code, to the appropriate third party,” according to Apple.
Mixed Reactions
The Security Research Device program has been praised by some in the security space as a “good step forward” for the iPhone maker, which up until last summer had a historically restricted bug bounty program.
Patrick Wardle, security researcher with Jamf, said that the new program will make the analysis of third-party apps much easier – which is “something that may directly impact end users in a positive way.”
“I’m happy that Apple is moving forward with this program,” Wardle told Threatpost. “Though the devices may not be fully open (i.e. probably won’t have the ability to boot custom kernels, etc) and there are some legal restraints (i.e. any bug found must be reported to Apple), I still think it’s a good step forward.”
On the flip side, however, Google Project Zero’s security research team, Ben Hawkes, took to Twitter to air complaints about the program’s vulnerability disclosure restrictions.
“It looks like we won’t be able to use the Apple ‘Security Research Device’ due to the vulnerability disclosure restrictions, which seem specifically designed to exclude Project Zero and other researchers who use a 90 day policy,” he said.
Apple’s program policy says that if researchers report a vulnerability affecting Apple products, Apple will provide them with a publication date (usually the date on which Apple releases the update to resolve the issue).
“Apple will work in good faith to resolve each vulnerability as soon as practical,” according to the policy. “Until the publication date, you cannot discuss the vulnerability with others.”
Threatpost has reached out to Apple for further clarification on this policy.
Hawkes said Google Project Zero will continue to research Apple platforms and provide Apple with their findings. “But I’ll confess, I’m pretty disappointed,” he said.
Making Good Strides
The concept of testable iPhones for security researchers was first announced at Black Hat USA 2019, when Apple launched its revamped bug bounty program. As part of its new bug bounty program, it said it will open the historically private program to all researchers and drastically boost some rewards for vulnerabilities found in its devices – including a $1 million payout – as well as adding a much-wanted program for its Mac devices.
Wardle said Apple has also made good strides in improving its communication with the security community overall by setting up a forum that facilitates communications between security researchers and Apple engineers.
“Anytime there is more communication between these two parties that’s a win-win for everybody,” he stressed.
