Bug Bounty Triage Bias

Summary: Justin and Jason share anecdotes about bias in bug bounty triage, where their mentees' valid bug reports were initially rejected, only to be accepted when resubmitted by the more established mentors. This highlights the challenges and frustrations faced by newcomers in the bug bounty field.

Insights:

• Experience and reputation appear to influence bug bounty triage outcomes. Less-known researchers might face unfair rejections, demonstrating a potential bias.
• Mentorship is crucial in navigating the complexities of bug bounty programs, including overcoming triage hurdles and advocating for valid findings.
• The "game" of bug bounty hunting involves not only technical skill but also social and reputational aspects, requiring strategic navigation.

Proper Nouns:

• Jason Haddix: Security researcher, former Bugcrowd employee, and podcast guest, providing insights based on his experience.
• Bugcrowd: A leading bug bounty platform.
• YouTube: Platform where Jason's talk, "The Dark Side of Bug Bounty," can be found.
• Discord: Platform hosting the Critical Thinking Bug Bounty community and offering premium subscriber tiers with exclusive content.

Research

• How can bug bounty platforms improve their triage processes to minimize bias and ensure fair evaluation of submissions?
• What are the ethical implications of reputational bias in bug bounty programs and its impact on newcomer participation?
• What strategies can less-experienced researchers employ to navigate potential bias and increase their chances of successful submissions?