How to optimize your bug bounty programs

In this Help Net Security interview, Roy Davis, Manager – Vulnerability Management & Bug Bounty at Zoom, discusses the role bug bounty programs play in identifying security vulnerabilities and facilitating collaboration with researchers. He offers advice to organizations, stressing the importance of clear program policies, swift response times, and competitive bounties to attract and retain top bug hunting talent.

Are there specific vulnerabilities or security issues that bug bounty programs are particularly effective in identifying?

Bug bounty programs are particularly effective in identifying security issues that require a persistent “try, fail, try harder” mindset. These programs also facilitate collaboration with researchers who have direct experience with specific idiosyncrasies of a particular system design and implementation.

What advice would you give to organizations looking to start or improve their bug bounty programs? What are some common mistakes they should avoid?

Organizations need to understand that they can’t always catch everything. Working with the research community will allow organizations to identify more vulnerabilities and keep their customers safer and more secure. Additionally, there is added value in collaborating with a diverse pool of security researchers who have different backgrounds and expertise.

It’s important to augment testing by tapping the ethical hacker community to help identify edge-case vulnerabilities that may only be detectable under certain use cases and circumstances.

One common mistake I see companies make when considering a bug bounty program is not recognizing the time and effort it takes to run a successful program. Often it is thought of as a side project or an “extra” hat someone within the company can pick up, but it isn’t, even when you leverage third-party services for triage work.

To attract top talent, organizations should establish principles to help them guide and improve their program:

• Adhere to clear and concise program policies that include what types of testing are allowed, details regarding the program’s “Safe Harbor” policy, and a menu of potential bounty payout ranges for specific types of vulnerability reports.
• Increase the breadth of the attack surface— also known as the “scope” of a bug bounty program — consistently, and clearly define what is specifically out of scope or off-limits.
• Minimize program response, remediation, and payout time frames. Nobody likes to wait to feel heard or receive payment for their work, including ethical hackers.
• Provide professional relationships and direct rapport with the Zoom employees who manage the bug bounty program, triage report submissions, and determine bounty payments.
• Offer competitive bounties that accurately reflect the work done by the researchers and the severity of the impact a vulnerability may have if exploited.

Can you discuss the primary challenges and disappointments that bug hunters often face? How do issues like slow company responses or disputes over bug classifications impact their work and motivation?

Security researchers often encounter several challenges and disappointments which can affect their motivation and productivity. Some of the primary challenges they can face include:

Slow company responses: One of the most common frustrations for bug bounty hunters experienced more broadly in the community is the slow response from companies after they report a vulnerability. Many organizations lack efficient processes for handling bug reports, leading to delays in acknowledgment, verification, and resolution of the reported issues. This delay can be particularly frustrating for hunters who invest time and effort in finding vulnerabilities but receive little or no feedback from the companies.

Disputes over bug classifications: Bug bounty programs usually have guidelines for classifying the severity of reported vulnerabilities, and determining the reward amount. However, there can be disagreements between bug bounty hunters and companies regarding the severity level assigned to a particular bug. Sometimes, hunters believe their findings deserve a higher reward or recognition, but the company may disagree, leading to disputes and dissatisfaction.

Lack of clear communication: Effective communication between bounty hunters and companies is crucial for a successful bug bounty program. However, inadequate communication channels or unclear instructions from the company side can hinder the progress of bug hunting. Hunters may struggle to obtain necessary information or clarification about the reported vulnerabilities, leading to frustration and decreased motivation.

Competitive nature of bug bounty programs: Bug bounty programs are often competitive, with numerous hunters searching for vulnerabilities and claiming rewards. This high level of competition can make it challenging for individual hunters to stand out or receive recognition for their findings.

Inconsistent payouts and rewards: While many bug bounty programs offer financial rewards for valid bug reports, the payout amounts can vary significantly between companies and even within the same program. Inconsistencies in reward structures and payout processes can lead to dissatisfaction among hunters, especially if they feel their efforts are not adequately compensated.

Can you elaborate on the role and importance of bug bounty platforms? How do they facilitate the interaction between bug hunters and organizations?

Bug bounty platforms play a crucial role in facilitating the interaction between bug hunters and organizations by providing a centralized platform for managing bug bounty programs. From a researcher’s perspective, the platform tracks submissions, payouts, new hacking opportunities, and each hacker’s statistics.

The hacker stats serve as credibility for researchers and can be very valuable when attempting to join more exclusive programs. On the bug bounty program side, the platforms combine vetted, qualified researchers, interactive communication functionality, and management of back-end bug bounty payment transfers.

Where do you see the future of bug bounty programs? Are there emerging trends or technologies that will significantly influence them?

The future of bug bounty programs is likely to be influenced by several emerging trends and technologies in the cybersecurity landscape.

As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve and multiply, there is a growing need for automation and AI-driven solutions to assist in identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities. Bug bounty platforms may incorporate machine learning algorithms to analyze and prioritize incoming bug reports, improving efficiency and reducing response times.

I see bug bounty programs adopting a shift-left mindset and integrating deeper into engineering processes. Integration of bug bounty programs with DevOps processes and practices can help organizations embed security into every stage of the software development lifecycle. Bug bounty platforms may provide APIs and integrations with DevOps tools to enable seamless communication and collaboration between security researchers and development teams.

Regulatory requirements such as GDPR, CCPA, and the upcoming Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) in the United States are driving organizations to prioritize cybersecurity and data protection. Bug bounty programs play a crucial role in helping companies demonstrate compliance with regulatory standards by proactively identifying and addressing security vulnerabilities.

Bug bounty programs are being increasingly integrated into organizations’ overall risk management strategies, enabling them to quantify and mitigate security risks effectively. Bug bounty platforms may adopt metrics and frameworks for measuring the impact of vulnerabilities and the effectiveness of remediation efforts, providing valuable insights for risk assessment and decision-making.