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Google raises Android and Chrome bug bounty rewards with tiered incentives for high-difficulty exploits

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Google has restructured its Android and Chrome vulnerability reward programs to prioritize high-difficulty, high-impact exploits, offering bounties of up to $1.5 million for specific attack chains while reducing payouts for exploits that AI-assisted tools can more easily identify. The most lucrative rewards target full-chain, zero-click exploits targeting Pixel devices’ Titan M2 security chip, with persistence increasing payout potential. Chrome’s program now offers up to $250,000 for full-chain browser exploits, with an additional $250,128 bonus for exploiting MiraclePtr-protected memory allocations. Changes reflect advancements in automated bug discovery and analysis, shifting focus toward exploits requiring advanced technical skill to develop or exploit.

Timeline

  1. 05.05.2026 14:24 1 articles · 1h ago

    Google updates Android and Chrome bug bounty programs with increased rewards for high-difficulty exploits

    Google announces restructured Android and Chrome vulnerability reward programs, introducing tiered bounties of up to $1.5 million for Titan M2 full-chain exploits with persistence and $250,000 for Chrome full-chain browser exploits. The updates include bonus incentives for MiraclePtr memory exploitation and a shift toward concise, proof-of-concept-focused submissions due to advances in AI-assisted vulnerability discovery.

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Information Snippets

  • Google’s Android vulnerability rewards program now offers up to $1.5 million for zero-click, full-chain exploits targeting the Titan M2 security chip with persistence on Pixel devices.

    First reported: 05.05.2026 14:24
    1 source, 1 article
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  • The same Titan M2 exploit chain without persistence is eligible for up to $750,000, reflecting tiered reward levels based on exploit complexity and persistence capabilities.

    First reported: 05.05.2026 14:24
    1 source, 1 article
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  • Google Chrome’s bug bounty program provides up to $250,000 for full-chain browser process exploits on fully updated systems and hardware, with an additional $250,128 bonus for exploiting MiraclePtr-protected memory allocations.

    First reported: 05.05.2026 14:24
    1 source, 1 article
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  • Google is deprecating lengthy written vulnerability reports in favor of concise submissions focusing on proofs of concept and essential artifacts, as AI tools now automate detailed write-ups.

    First reported: 05.05.2026 14:24
    1 source, 1 article
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  • The Android program narrows its scope to Linux kernel vulnerabilities in Google-maintained components unless researchers demonstrate exploitability on Android devices.

    First reported: 05.05.2026 14:24
    1 source, 1 article
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  • In 2025, Google paid $17.1 million to 747 researchers through its bug bounty programs, a 40% increase from 2024 and an all-time high.

    First reported: 05.05.2026 14:24
    1 source, 1 article
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