Pwn2Own 2013: All Browsers Fail

By | March 8, 2013 | 17 Comments

Pwn2Own 2013: All Browsers FailNo one cared about Safari.

With the Pwn2Own hacking contest coming to an end, it was revealed that every major web browser was hacked.

Google Chrome exploit allowed for a full breakout from its invincible sandbox resulting in a $100,000 reward, while both Firefox and Internet Explorer were exploited by a security firm VUPEN, resulting in a total of $160,000 in bounty payments ($60,000 and $100,000 respectively).

What about Safari? As it turns out, no one even pre-registered for Apple’s web browser this year despite the $75,000 prize.

On a side note, there were multiple Java exploits too but that’s like looking for holes in a big block of Swiss cheese where the only way to solve the underlying issue involves melting it with fire.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this]


About (Author Profile)


Vygantas is a former web designer whose projects are used by companies such as AMD, NVIDIA and departed Westood Studios. Being passionate about software, Vygantas began his journalism carrier back in 2007 when he founded FavBrowser.com. Having said that, he is also an adrenaline junkie who enjoys good books, fitness activities and Forex trading.

  • Guest

    what about opera ?

    • http://www.facebook.com/DanJSaunders Danny Saunders

      Opera was there… “Google Chrome exploit allowed for a full breakout from its invincible sandbox resulting in a $100,000 reward” ;)

      • Jc

        lmao nice one

  • IE user

    Since all the browsers are not safe & secure. I don’t have to worry which browser should I use.
    I’m happy with my IE. (I’m NOT a web developer).

    • Trevonn David

      You make are life easier by not using that thing.

    • Mehran

      Somebody is happy with Internet-fetish here ^_^

  • http://twitter.com/bricky149 Shane Bundy

    Why not hack Maxthon?

    • sarjoor

      Because it’s not a mainstream browser. No one (ie. general populace) even knows what it is.

    • sarjoor

      Or put another way, Opera was never put into the contest all these years because it’s maximum 1-1.5% worldwide share was never mainstream enough for hacking. Maxthon’s market share certainly isn’t more than Opera’s.

    • Mehran

      Maxthon is a joke, I’ll never laugh at

      • http://www.youtube.com/user/max1cp?feature=mhum Maxim

        You however, are a joke that I laugh at constantly.

        • Mehran

          I don’t know you, therefore there’s no reason to care about you and your feelings ;-)

    • http://twitter.com/bricky149 Shane Bundy

      I know it’s not mainstream enough but it does use a custom engine (based on Chrome’s engine), its own program framework and it would be interesting what sort of exploits lie within the program.

  • MacVities

    Quite clearly not all browsers fail. Opera wasn’t tested and has a far better security track record than all the others.

    Infact the guy that started Pwn2Own uses Opera browser himself, which says ALOT…

    • http://www.favbrowser.com FavBrowser.com

      That’s like saying Bill Gates is immortal because not once did he die in the last 50 years.

  • Guest 1000½

    What’s Safari… ain’t that somethin’ you do in Africa :-?

  • http://my.opera.com/rafaelluik Rafael

    Click baiting at its best, congrats!

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