Apple started sending ‘jailbroken’ iPhones to security researchers, which easier to find bugs

Apple declared in July the release of a new Apple security research equipment program that aims to provide researchers with specially configured iPhones furnished with unique code execution and containment strategies to support the security of the study.

From today, Apple will announce the first researchers who will receive these special iPhones, and that these devices will be shipped immediately.

According to the terms of the plan, these devices will be loaned to researchers for a period of 12 months but can be renewed.

The goal of the Security Research equipment Program is to further improve the security of the iOS system. Apple believes that the contributions of security researchers will assist the company in achieving the goal of improving consumer safety.

According to Apple, it values ​​the cooperation with independent researchers and thanks to them for their work on the Apple platform.

The iPhone that Apple will provide is less locked than consumer devices, which will make it easier for researchers to find serious security vulnerabilities.

These devices are very similar to production phones, with the latest version of iOS and modern hardware. Researchers will not need a jailbroken phone to conduct research that will permit them to investigate platform security features, and they can run any tools they want to test the operating system.

Program participants can access a large number of documents and dedicated forums for collaboration with Apple engineers. The security research equipment program and the vulnerability bounty program are conducted simultaneously, so researchers who find a vulnerability can receive a bonus of up to 1.5 million US dollars.

(Via)