Google launches new bug bounty platform
Vulnerability hunters will be able to improve their skills through the newly launched Bug Hunter University
Google has announced the launch of a new bug bounty platform that will make it easier for vulnerability hunters to submit issues.
Available under bughunters.google.com, the platform brings together all of the tech giant’s vulnerability reward programmes (VRP) – Google, Android, Abuse, Chrome, and Play – with hunters able to submit issues using a single intake form.
Moreover, the new platform will provide more opportunities for interaction with other hunters through gamification, including awards and badges for certain bug-reporting achievements.
Google has also improved its VRP leaderboards, which will now be “more functional and aesthetically pleasing”, as well as show the best hunters per country, making it easier to use the results to boost a CV when applying for a job in tech.
The new platform also provides greater emphasis on research and education, making it easier for hunters to publish their bug reports in order to share their knowledge. Hunters will also be able to improve their skills through the newly-launched Bug Hunter University, which includes courses on how to submit a successful vulnerability report.
Research papers on the security of open source will be eligible for a reward, just like open source software patch submissions, while hunters improving security in open source programmes will be eligible to apply for a grant to better secure their own projects.
RELATED RESOURCE
Commenting on the announcement, Google VRP technical programme manager, Jan Keller, said that when Google launched its “very first VRP” over a decade ago, no one knew “how many valid vulnerabilities – if any – would be submitted on the first day”.
“Everyone on the team put in their estimate, with predictions ranging from zero to 20. In the end, we actually received more than 25 reports, taking all of us by surprise,” he added.
Three years later, the programme was expanded to include open source as well as Google Android and Apache.
“Since its inception, the VRP programme has not only grown significantly in terms of report volume, but the team of security engineers behind it has also expanded – including almost 20 bug hunters who reported vulnerabilities to us and ended up joining the Google VRP team. That is why we are thrilled to bring you this new platform, continue to grow our community of bug hunters and support the skill development of up-and-coming vulnerability researchers,” said Keller.
-
What is Microsoft Maia?Explainer Microsoft's in-house chip is planned to a core aspect of Microsoft Copilot and future Azure AI offerings
-
If Satya Nadella wants us to take AI seriously, let’s forget about mass adoption and start with a return on investment for those already using itOpinion If Satya Nadella wants us to take AI seriously, let's start with ROI for businesses
-
Experts welcome EU-led alternative to MITRE's vulnerability tracking schemeNews The EU-led framework will reduce reliance on US-based MITRE vulnerability reporting database
-
Veeam patches Backup & Replication vulnerabilities, urges users to updateNews The vulnerabilities affect Veeam Backup & Replication 13.0.1.180 and all earlier version 13 builds – but not previous versions.
-
Two Fortinet vulnerabilities are being exploited in the wild – patch nowNews Arctic Wolf and Rapid7 said security teams should act immediately to mitigate the Fortinet vulnerabilities
-
Everything you need to know about Google and Apple’s emergency zero-day patchesNews A serious zero-day bug was spotted in Chrome systems that impacts Apple users too, forcing both companies to issue emergency patches
-
The Microsoft bug bounty program just got a big update — and even applies to third-party codeNews Microsoft is expanding its bug bounty program to cover all of its products, even those that haven't previously been covered by a bounty before and even third-party code.
-
Security experts claim the CVE Program isn’t up to scratch anymore — inaccurate scores and lengthy delays mean the system needs updatedNews CVE data is vital in combating emerging threats, yet inaccurate ratings and lengthy wait times are placing enterprises at risk
-
IBM AIX users urged to patch immediately as researchers sound alarm on critical flawsNews Network administrators should patch the four IBM AIX flaws as soon as possible
-
Critical Dell Storage Manager flaws could let hackers access sensitive data – patch nowNews A trio of flaws in Dell Storage Manager has prompted a customer alert
