Another Dark Reality of Bug Hunting

“Bug hunting isn’t just about finding vulnerabilities — it’s about navigating a maze of challenges, frustration, and, sometimes, disappointment.”

That’s the reality many bug hunters face every day. While bug bounties and vulnerability disclosure programs may seem like an exciting way to showcase skills and earn rewards, there’s a side to this world that rarely gets the attention it deserves. And today, we’re going to talk about it — the struggles that ethical hackers face and the harsh realities of bug hunting in today’s landscape.

When new bug hunters enter the scene, one of the first hurdles they face is figuring out where to start. With a sea of bug bounty platforms and companies offering programs, it’s easy to feel lost. It’s not just about finding the right program — it’s about choosing one where you stand a chance. Competition is fierce. Thousands of skilled hackers are all vying for that one bug, and when you’re starting, you quickly realize that someone else might already be ahead of you.

It’s a race. But what if, after hours or even days of hunting, you find out you’ve landed on a duplicate report? The heartbreak is real. You’re told, “Great find, but someone beat you to it,” and you walk away empty-handed.

One common reply many hunters get is:
“Unfortunately, this was submitted previously by another researcher.”

No reward. No recognition. Just a polite rejection.

Here’s the bitter truth: not all bugs are treated equally. Imagine spending weeks digging through code, only to find a critical vulnerability — one that could potentially save a company millions. You send in your report, and what do you get in return? Maybe a $50 reward. Or worse, a t-shirt or a place on the company’s Hall of Fame (HOF) page.

Many bug hunters have shared their frustration with unfair compensation models, where companies grossly underpay for high-severity vulnerabilities. It’s disheartening to see your time, energy, and skill reduced to a mere token of appreciation. Some companies even fail to disclose clear reward structures, leaving hunters in the dark about what their efforts are worth.

One such response goes:
“Our priority for this is very low. Hence this is not a legit finding for us; in this case, we are not sending any swag to you.”

Or, after reporting a vulnerability you know is significant, you might receive:
“We have reviewed your report and determined it does not meet our threshold for a bounty reward at this time.”

These types of responses leave hunters feeling undervalued and frustrated, especially when the issue later gets quietly fixed.

Bug hunting is mentally exhausting. The pressure to constantly stay ahead of the curve, find new vulnerabilities, and remain competitive can easily lead to burnout. There’s no clear roadmap in this world, and when you’re faced with dead-ends, rejections, and duplicates over and over again, it takes a toll.

Many ethical hackers admit that they’ve struggled with mental health issues after spending long hours, days, or even weeks without finding anything substantial. This isn’t talked about enough in the community, but the pressure to perform and the anxiety of staying relevant are real problems that bug hunters face.

A bug hunter recently shared, “I spent weeks on a single program, reporting a major flaw, only to hear back:
“Thank you for your submission, but this is a known issue, and we’re not offering rewards for this vulnerability.”

It’s not just about the technical challenges — it’s about the emotional rollercoaster that comes with the job.

One of the most controversial issues bug hunters face is the legal risks involved. You’re trying to help. You find a vulnerability, report it through the responsible disclosure process, and wait for a response. But instead of gratitude, you’re hit with a legal notice. Suddenly, you find yourself on the defensive for merely pointing out security flaws.

This is an unfortunate reality for many bug hunters, especially those working with smaller companies or in regions with vague cybersecurity laws. Even though you’re acting in good faith, you can quickly become the villain if the company decides to take legal action instead of addressing the flaw.

A chilling example of this is when a hunter was threatened with:
“If you do not cease and desist immediately, we will take further legal action against you.”

This isn’t an isolated incident. Legal risks hang over the heads of bug hunters, making the landscape even more precarious.

Imagine this: you find a severe vulnerability, something that could cause significant damage if exploited. You report it to the company, expecting a prompt response and maybe a reward. But weeks go by, and you hear nothing. Then one day, you notice the vulnerability has been patched — but you never received a reply. No reward, no recognition.

Unfortunately, this happens more often than you’d think. Many companies still fail to take responsibility for the flaws in their systems, instead blaming the hunters who expose them. Ethical hackers are sometimes made out to be the bad guys, even when they follow proper disclosure processes.

Many hunters have experienced responses like:
“We’ve acknowledged your report but do not believe this poses a significant security threat to our users.”

Or, the most frustrating of all:
“This issue has been fixed, but we are unable to provide any further information.”

Bug hunting is often portrayed as a glamorous way to get paid for finding flaws, but the reality is much more complex. Hunters invest significant amounts of time, effort, and energy into making the internet safer, yet they’re frequently met with rejections, legal risks, and mental exhaustion.

It’s time for companies to rethink how they treat bug hunters. Clear reward structures, better communication, and a genuine respect for the work these ethical hackers do would go a long way toward fostering a more supportive environment.

Bug hunting isn’t just about finding bugs — it’s about changing the way cybersecurity works, one report at a time. But until companies step up, hunters will continue to face these dark realities every day.

http://www.linkedin.com/in/akash-motkar-089295220

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