# OpenAI reports $1.2M AI vulnerability run cost about $1,279 per flaw

> Original title: The full run cost $1,213,430 in API credits—about $1,279 per distinct local privilege escalation vulnerability.

- Source: OpenAI
- Published: 2026-11-04T23:13:26.000Z
- Bad Influence: https://badinfluence.news/items/x8lae2koyoxzmara79m2oum4f
- Original: https://x.com/OpenAI/status/2118119459772862490

## Summary

OpenAI says its AI vulnerability discovery run cost $1,213,430 in API credits, about $1,279 per distinct local privilege escalation vulnerability. It estimates that applying historical Pwn2Own and TyphoonPWN bounty rates would imply a hypothetical value of $18.9M to $66.3M. OpenAI argues the result shows AI models can make cyber attacks cost-prohibitive for attackers when defenders analyze their software proactively.

## Post

The full run cost $1,213,430 in API credits—about $1,279 per distinct local privilege escalation vulnerability.

For context, applying historical Pwn2Own and TyphoonPWN bounty rates gives a hypothetical value of $18.9M–$66.3M.

This demonstrates the relative efficacy of using AI models for securing software—defenders should proactively analyze software to make cyber attacks cost-prohibitive.