Meta Awards $100K Bug Bounty for Critical Facebook Server Vulnerability
Security Researcher Uncovers High-Risk Access Flaw in Ad Platform
In October 2024, cybersecurity researcher Ben Sadeghipour discovered a critical security vulnerability in Facebook’s advertising platform that granted him command execution privileges on an internal Meta server. The finding earned him one of Meta’s largest bug bounty payouts to date - $100,000.
How the Vulnerability Worked
Sadeghipour, working with independent researcher Alex Chapman, identified that:
- A server in Facebook’s ad delivery system contained an unpatched Chrome browser vulnerability
- Using a headless Chrome browser, he could interact directly with Facebook’s internal infrastructure
- The flaw allowed remote code execution (RCE), potentially compromising multiple internal systems
“With code execution, we could’ve interacted with any sites within that infrastructure,” Sadeghipour told TechCrunch. “RCE vulnerabilities let you bypass limitations and directly access server data.”
Rapid Response from Meta
The timeline of events highlights Meta’s security protocols:
- Discovery: Sadeghipour found the vulnerability during routine ad platform analysis
- Reporting: He immediately notified Meta through proper channels
- Resolution: Meta patched the vulnerability within one hour of notification
- Reward: The company issued the six-figure bounty for the critical find
“My assumption is that it’s something you may want to fix because it is directly inside of your infrastructure,” Sadeghipour wrote in his report to Meta.
Why Advertising Platforms Are Prime Targets
Sadeghipour explained why ad systems present unique security challenges:
- They process massive amounts of complex data (video, text, images)
- Background operations create multiple potential attack vectors
- Server-side processing can introduce vulnerabilities if not properly secured
“There’s so much that happens in the background of making these ads,” he noted. “It opens the door for a ton of vulnerabilities.”
Broader Implications for Digital Security
This incident highlights several important cybersecurity considerations:
- Patch management: Even large tech companies can miss critical updates
- Bug bounty value: Ethical hacking programs help identify vulnerabilities before malicious actors
- Infrastructure security: Internal systems require the same protection as customer-facing ones
Sadeghipour warned that similar vulnerabilities likely exist in other companies’ advertising platforms, emphasizing the need for rigorous security testing across the digital advertising ecosystem.
Meta spokesperson Nicole Catalano acknowledged TechCrunch’s request for comment but had not provided additional details by publication time.
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