Operation Zero: Russian Firm Offers Up to $4 Million for Telegram Exploits

TL;DR

Operation Zero, a Russian zero-day broker, is offering substantial rewards for Telegram exploits, highlighting the strategic importance of the messaging app in cyber warfare and surveillance.

Main Content

Operation Zero, a Russian zero-day broker, has announced significant bounties for exploits targeting the popular messaging app Telegram. The firm is willing to pay up to $4 million for these vulnerabilities, underscoring the critical role Telegram plays in secure communications and the high demand for such exploits among government and intelligence agencies.

Bounty Details

The bounties offered by Operation Zero vary depending on the severity and impact of the exploit:

• One-Click RCE (Remote Code Execution): Up to $500,000
• Zero-Click RCE: Up to $1.5 million
• Full-Chain Exploit: Up to $4 million

These bounties are specifically for exploits that can compromise Android, iOS, and Windows devices. The prices depend on the limitations of the zero-days and the privileges obtained¹.

Why Such High Bounties?

Several factors contribute to the high value placed on Telegram exploits:

1. Government and Intelligence Demand: Telegram is widely used for secure communication by journalists, activists, dissidents, and political figures. Russian intelligence agencies could leverage these exploits for surveillance and espionage purposes.

2. Strategic Cyber Warfare: In geopolitical conflicts, access to Telegram accounts and devices could provide military and intelligence advantages, such as intercepting sensitive communications and identifying informants.

3. Law Enforcement and Cybercrime Control: Russian authorities may want to monitor criminal organizations, opposition groups, or foreign entities using Telegram. Bypassing Telegram’s security without the company’s cooperation could be highly valuable.

Previous Security Concerns

In September 2024, Ukraine’s National Coordination Centre for Cybersecurity (NCCC) banned the use of Telegram on government agencies, military, and critical infrastructure due to national security concerns. The ban was implemented following evidence that Russian intelligence could access Telegram users’ data, including deleted messages².

Kyrylo Budanov, the chief of Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence, warned that Russian intelligence could spy on Ukrainian entities using Telegram, leading to the ban on official devices. However, the ban does not affect Ukrainian citizens, who continue to rely heavily on Telegram for communication and news³.

Implications for Cybersecurity

The rising prices for zero-day exploits reflect the increasing difficulty in hacking secure messaging apps and mobile devices. As Telegram’s end-to-end encryption and widespread use make it a prime target, any exploit that bypasses its security could be a game-changer for cyber espionage.

Conclusion

The substantial bounties offered by Operation Zero for Telegram exploits highlight the strategic importance of the messaging app in modern cyber warfare. As the demand for such vulnerabilities grows, so does the need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect users’ data and privacy.

Additional Resources

For further insights, check:

• TechCrunch Article on Operation Zero
• Ukraine NCCC Announcement
• Security Affairs on Telegram Ban

References

1. Operation Zero (@opzero_en) (March 20, 2025). “We are looking for…” Twitter. Retrieved March 22, 2025. ↩︎

2. National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (September 2024). “Announcement on Telegram Ban”. Retrieved March 22, 2025. ↩︎

3. Security Affairs (September 2024). “Ukraine NCCC Banned Telegram”. Retrieved March 22, 2025. ↩︎