Responsible Vulnerability Disclosure
A Responsible Vulnerability Disclosure program allows security researchers and ethical hackers around the world to legally identify and report security vulnerabilities in an organization’s assets. In the ever evolving landscape of cybersecurity where attackers continuously find new ways to exploit systems, defenders are often in a reactive position, working to close newly discovered gaps. Engaging a global community of skilled individuals with diverse backgrounds and expertise can significantly enhance an organization's ability to detect and remediate vulnerabilities early.
These programs are often implemented through Bug Bounty Programs, where researchers are financially rewarded for responsibly disclosing security issues under clearly defined terms. This collaborative model enables organizations to uncover and address vulnerabilities that might otherwise go unnoticed.
While there are costs associated with paying bounties, the financial and reputational impact of a data breach is typically far greater. A well-run bug bounty program can serve as an efficient, cost-effective layer of defense when integrated into a broader security strategy.
However, one common challenge with public bug bounty programs is the high volume of low-quality or irrelevant submissions, often from inexperienced researchers. To manage this, some organizations opt for private bug bounty programs, accessible only by invitation. These are usually curated by the platforms offering the bounty platform, ensuring a higher signal-to-noise ratio and a more manageable workload for internal security teams.
Outcome
- Add a security.txt file in websites root directory
- Setup security TXT dns records
- Create a detailed disclosure policy
- Explicitly define what is in scope and what is not in scope to avoid irrelevant reports
- Define competitive bounty price ranges
- Create a wall of fame for researchers
- Leverage a Bug Bounty platform to manage the responsible disclosure
Metrics
- Number of reported vulnerabilities
- Number of reported vulnerabilities by severity
- Percentage of False Positives
- Percentage of open vulnerabilities
- Amount paid to researchers
- Mean time to response
- Mean time to resolve
Tools & Resources
- PolicyMaker (Free) - Generate policy for responsible disclosure program
- security.txt (Free) - Generate the security.txt standard file
- Hackerone (Paid) - Bug Bounty Platform
- BugCrown (Paid) - Bug Bounty Platform