take a look at this bug and the chain required to exploit it:

https://projectzero.google/2021/12/a-deep-dive-into-nso-zero...

https://projectzero.google/2022/03/forcedentry-sandbox-escap...

exploiting vulnerabilities on hardened targets isn't just in a different league from finding them, it is a different sport altogether.

put simply, it's the difference between an integer overflow leading to a sandbox escaping RCE and one that leads to a crash.

Codex Security and 5.5/5.6 are still very good finding vulnerable code -- they will identify and fix unsafe behavior, but they will refuse to help you with exploitation -- they will actively prevent you from taking any steps to weaponize the unsafe behavior that are not required to remediate it. they will err conservative here, but for the most part they will still let you discover and address a wide range and depth of vulnerabilities. you can verify yourself to turn off the most basic safeguards and sign up through a more rigorous process for a spectrum of TAC options.

obviously there is a balance here -- openai wants to empower defenders while at the same time not exposing capabilities to the adversaries that would overwhelm defenders. there is no "right" answer. it is a work in progress. this is an intentional and deliberate decision to provide defenders with a (temporary, dwindling) advantage.

the example i chose was pretty extreme, but the underlying principle -- enable visibility discovery and remediation, but make it difficult to weaponize and defeat countermeasures makes sense given the bigger picture, IMO.

this calm before the storm is not going to last for very long, and defenders need every advantage they can get to get their houses in order before these capabilities are widely commoditized.

OpenAI DayBreak – GPT-5.5-Cyber