How a Researcher Earned $100,000 Hacking a Facebook Server – The Inside Scoop!
2025-01-12
Author: Yu
Introduction
In a remarkable incident that highlights the delicate balance of cybersecurity, Facebook rewarded a security researcher with a staggering $100,000 for uncovering a serious bug that provided him with command access to one of the tech giant’s internal servers. This incident took place in October 2024 and has raised significant concerns about the vulnerabilities present in online ad platforms.
Discovery of the Vulnerability
The researcher, Ben Sadeghipour, known in the security community as @NahamSec, reported this critical vulnerability as part of Facebook’s bug bounty program. His discovery emphasized the potential risks associated with extensive server-side data processing used in online ads, which could expose a myriad of security issues.
Exploitation Mechanism
While exploring Facebook's ad platform, Sadeghipour identified a flaw that allowed him to harness control over an internal server. His investigation revealed that the issue stemmed from an unpatched version of the Chrome browser that Facebook was using for its ad services. By exploiting this flaw through a headless Chrome browser—an interface version that operates without a graphical user interface—Sadeghipour was able to send direct commands to Facebook's internal systems.
Response from Facebook
According to reports from TechCrunch, Sadeghipour noted, “The issue was that one of the servers used in Facebook’s ad creation and delivery system was vulnerable to a previously fixed flaw in the Chrome browser,” underscoring how something as common as a browser vulnerability can lead to significant internal security breaches.
Mitigation Measures
Upon discovering the issue, Sadeghipour promptly reported it to Meta. The response was swift, with the company acknowledging the vulnerability and halting his further testing to rectify the problem. This proactive approach ensured that no malicious actors could exploit the flaw before it was sufficiently patched.
Wider Implications
Such vulnerabilities pose substantial risks, not just to Facebook but to other organizations utilizing similar technologies. This serves as a wake-up call for companies to routinely audit their systems against known flaws and to ensure that all software is kept up-to-date to mitigate security risks effectively.
Background of the Researcher
Sadeghipour is no stranger to success in the realm of cybersecurity. Previously, in October 2020, he was part of a team that garnered significant rewards—over $288,500—after reporting 55 vulnerabilities to Apple. This collaboration included researchers Sam Curry, Brett Buerhaus, Samuel Erb, and Tanner Barnes, who highlighted critical weaknesses that Apple promptly addressed.
Conclusion
As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, the commitment from both researchers and companies like Facebook to close these gaps is crucial. With the increasing sophistication of cyber threats, the insights and findings from ethical hackers like Sadeghipour serve as invaluable contributions to the safety and integrity of digital platforms.
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