Navigating the AI-Driven Bug Bounty Landscape
In the evolving realm of cybersecurity, AI has transformed how vulnerabilities are reported—but not always for the better. My decade-spanning journey in the bug bounty industry reveals critical insights into the challenges we now face.
Key Insights:
- Overwhelming Noise: AI-generated reports flood vulnerability programs, with 20% of submissions being inaccurately flagged as issues.
- Emotional Toll: Maintainers, burdened by false reports, experience significant burnout—58% have considered quitting.
- Funding Crisis: Despite powering billions in commercial value, many open-source maintainers earn as little as $500 annually.
Potential Solutions:
- Proof-of-Concept Requirements: Mandating verifiable evidence before acceptance minimizes AI slop.
- Reputation Systems: Building a credible community helps filter out low-quality submissions.
Our open-source ecosystem is at a crossroads. We must choose sustainability over exploitation.
Join the conversation: Share your thoughts on the future of vulnerability reporting. What challenges and solutions have you observed?
