Microsoft Enhances AI Bug Bounty Program with Rewards Up to $30,000 for Critical Vulnerabilities

Introduction

In a significant move to bolster the security of its artificial intelligence (AI) products, Microsoft has expanded its Copilot AI Bug Bounty Program. The company now offers rewards of up to $30,000 for identifying critical vulnerabilities, underscoring its commitment to proactive cybersecurity measures.

Program Expansion and Increased Rewards

Microsoft's Copilot AI Bug Bounty Program has undergone notable enhancements:

  • Expanded Scope: The program now includes a broader range of Copilot consumer products and services, such as Copilot for Telegram, Copilot for WhatsApp, copilot.microsoft.com, and copilot.ai. This expansion provides researchers with more opportunities to contribute to the security of Microsoft's AI ecosystem. (msrc.microsoft.com)
  • Increased Rewards: Researchers can earn up to $30,000 for critical vulnerabilities. Additionally, moderate severity vulnerabilities, previously not eligible for monetary rewards, now offer up to $5,000. (msrc.microsoft.com)
Alignment with Vulnerability Classification Frameworks

To ensure consistency and transparency, Microsoft has integrated the Copilot Bug Bounty Program with its Online Services Bug Bar. This alignment establishes a clear framework for evaluating the severity of vulnerabilities, ensuring that all reported issues are assessed with the same rigor applied across Microsoft's online services. (msrc.microsoft.com)

Implications and Impact

The expansion of the bug bounty program has several significant implications:

  • Enhanced Security: By incentivizing the discovery of vulnerabilities, Microsoft aims to identify and mitigate potential security risks before they can be exploited maliciously.
  • Community Engagement: The program fosters collaboration with the global security research community, leveraging external expertise to strengthen product security.
  • Innovation Encouragement: Offering substantial rewards encourages researchers to focus on AI security, promoting innovation in identifying and addressing complex vulnerabilities.
Technical Details

The program targets various types of vulnerabilities, including:

  • Inference Manipulation: Attacks that manipulate a model's response to individual inference requests without altering the model itself.
  • Model Manipulation: Vulnerabilities affecting the training phase of AI systems, such as model poisoning or data poisoning.
  • Inferential Information Disclosure: Issues that could expose sensitive information about the model's training data, architecture, or weights. (cybersecuritynews.com)
Conclusion

Microsoft's enhancement of its AI Bug Bounty Program reflects a proactive approach to cybersecurity in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. By expanding the program's scope and increasing rewards, Microsoft demonstrates its dedication to maintaining the integrity and security of its AI products, while fostering a collaborative relationship with the security research community.

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