Bug Hunters’ Perspectives on the Challenges and Benefits of the Bug Bounty Ecosystem By Omer Akgul

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Summary
Presenter: Omer Akgul
Title: Bug Hunters’ Perspectives on the Challenges and Benefits of the Bug Bounty Ecosystem
Category: SCS2023
Subcategory: Regular
Video: • Bug Hunters’ Perspecti...
Length: 32:36
Content: Omer Akgul discusses the dynamics of bug bounty programs from the perspective of bug hunters. The presentation, awarded at the YCK conference, explores the benefits, challenges, and selection criteria for bug bounty programs, as well as platform utilities and communication issues. Key insights include the importance of monetary rewards, learning opportunities, and the impact of communication problems on bug hunters.
Keywords
Bug Bounty Programs
Vulnerability Discovery
Bug Bounty Platforms
Communication Challenges
Hunter Motivations
Ideas
Bug bounty programs provide a cost-effective alternative to in-house red teams, offering diverse skill sets and broader vulnerability coverage.
Bug hunters prioritize monetary rewards and skill improvement over reputation, with legal Safe Harbor and flexibility also being significant motivators.
Selection of bug bounty programs is influenced by scope, technology familiarity, reward structure, and legal protections.
Effective bug bounty platforms should focus on ease of payment and reporting, while addressing communication and dispute issues.
Improved communication and mediation practices could enhance the bug bounty ecosystem and retain skilled hunters.
Quotes
"Bug bounty programs are essentially these big wanted posters posted by companies or organizations looking for security vulnerabilities."
"The legal Safe Harbor was often cited as a significant motivator. It promises that companies won't pursue legal action if hackers stay within the rules."
"Bug bounty hunters often look at publicly disclosed bugs to understand vulnerabilities and apply similar techniques in their own work."
"Communication issues, including responsiveness and dissatisfaction with responses, are major challenges for bug bounty hunters."
Facts
Over 400,000 vulnerabilities have been found through bug bounty programs, according to public reports.
Bug hunters come from diverse backgrounds, working from various regions and with varying levels of experience.
The main challenges in bug bounty programs include communication issues, scoping problems, and disputes over compensation and bug status.
Resources
[HackerOne](www.hackerone.com) - Major bug bounty platform facilitating the connection between hunters and programs.
[Bugcrowd](www.bugcrowd.com) - Significant bug bounty platform offering a centralized place for bug hunters and organizations.
Recommendations
Bug bounty programs should improve communication with hunters, including timely updates and acknowledgments of reported bugs.
Platforms should enhance their mediation processes and ensure they are fair to both hackers and companies.
Policy makers should consider stronger legal protections for hackers and explore incentives to boost bug bounty program participation.