Apple is reportedly preparing to send out “jailbroken” iPhone handsets to the first participants of its Security Research Device (SRD) program, which will allow security researchers to dig into iOS more deeply than they have before.
The program offers specially configured iPhones that are less locked down than their consumer counterparts, allowing researchers easier access to find flaws and vulnerabilities. Apple announced the program in August 2019, and began accepting applications for it in July 2020.
The devices are being loaned to researchers on a 12-month renewable basis. Apple notes that only approved researchers will be able to get their hands on them and that they’re only “intended for use in a controlled setting.”
Upon receiving the iPhones, security researchers will be able to achieve shell access on the units, run any tools, and choose their entitlements. The goal of this is to more readily locate security vulnerabilities without having to jailbreak devices in the first place. Alongside access to an SRD, participants will also be granted access to a special collaborative forum with Apple engineers and extensive documentation on Apple platforms.
Finally, Apple has announced that it would be paying more for vulnerabilities located in its software as part of its bug bounty program.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via AppleInsider, MacRumors, and developer.apple.com