Pwn2Own 2013: All Browsers Fail

By | March 8, 2013


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 career 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.

Comments (17)

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  1. Guest says:

    what about opera ?

  2. IE user says:

    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).

  3. Shane Bundy says:

    Why not hack Maxthon?

    • sarjoor says:

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

    • sarjoor says:

      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 says:

      Maxthon is a joke, I’ll never laugh at

    • Shane Bundy says:

      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.

  4. MacVities says:

    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…

  5. Guest 1000½ says:

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

  6. Rafael says:

    Click baiting at its best, congrats!