Key insights

• ⭐ Zero day exploit sharing was once a source of pride for hackers
• 🔄 Evolution into a market with brokers and matchmaking services
• 📱 Potency of iPhone exploits demonstrated by a four-pronged attack chain
• 💰 Cost of exploits reflected in their usefulness and can range from $100,000 to $2.5 million
• ⚔️ Zero day exploits have been used in significant cyber attacks, espionage, and surveillance
• ⚫ The zero day market operates in a gray area, with a corporate 'White Market' for bug bounties and a secretive 'Gray Market' where governments invest in research and purchase exploits
• 🌍 Different countries have their own white, gray, and black markets for zero-day exploits
• 🛡️ Former intelligence professionals acknowledge the value of certain zero days for offensive purposes

Q&A

• What impact does the zero day market have on our world?

  The zero day market has a significant impact on our lives, but most of it remains hidden due to its secretive nature. Despite its hidden nature, the market will persist due to its inseparable ties with our world.

• Why is the zero day market difficult to regulate or prosecute?

  The zero day market operates in secrecy, making it difficult to regulate or prosecute. Former intelligence professionals acknowledge the value of certain zero days for offensive purposes.

• How do companies and governments interact with the zero day market?

  The market for zero day exploits operates in a gray area, with companies and governments involved in researching, buying, and selling these exploits. Different countries have their own white, gray, and black markets for zero-day exploits.

• Who is involved in the zero day market?

  The zero day market involves various actors including governments, criminal organizations, and cybersecurity companies trading exploits. It's a complex and secretive world, involving governments, law enforcement, criminals, and hackers trading exploits for various purposes.

• How has the zero day exploit sharing evolved?

  Zero day exploit sharing was once a source of pride for hackers, but it has evolved into a market with brokers and matchmaking services. The potency and cost of iPhone exploits have also been demonstrated.

• What are zero day exploits?

  Zero day exploits allow breaching security systems without detection, making them extremely valuable and utilized by governments and cyber criminals for high-stakes cyber attacks.

• What is the zero day market?

  The zero day market is a secretive community where hackers trade secret vulnerabilities that can breach security systems.

• 00:01 The zero day market is a secretive community where hackers trade secret vulnerabilities that can breach security systems. Finding a zero day exploit requires exceptional skill and can be lucrative. Historically, hackers would notify companies about vulnerabilities but were often met with hostility. Bug track was a platform where these exploits were shared.
• 05:51 The evolution of zero day exploit sharing, emergence of brokers, and the potency and cost of iPhone exploits.
• 11:32 Zero day exploits are extremely valuable and utilized by governments and cyber criminals for high-stakes cyber attacks. The market for zero days operates in a gray area, with companies and governments involved in researching, buying, and selling these exploits.
• 17:17 The zero-day market involves various actors including governments, criminal organizations, and cybersecurity companies trading exploits. Examples like the MoveIt ransomware attack and Operation Triangulation demonstrate the complexity and blurred lines in this market. Different countries have their own markets, and some companies like Zerodium and Operation Zero openly trade with their respective governments.
• 23:12 The zero day Market operates in secrecy, making it difficult to regulate or prosecute. Former intelligence professionals acknowledge the value of certain zero days for offensive purposes. A cracked brick in PHP led to the takedown of one of the largest criminal organizations in the world.
• 28:32 The zero-day market involves governments, law enforcement, criminals, and hackers trading exploits for various purposes. It's a complex and secretive world, built on discretion and confidentiality. Despite its impact on our lives, most of it remains hidden. The market will persist due to its inseparable ties with our world.