Ethical Hacking News
Microsoft has expanded its .NET bug bounty program to offer up to $40,000 for critical vulnerabilities, marking a significant step forward in the company's efforts to bolster its cybersecurity posture. The changes reflect Microsoft's commitment to fostering a culture of collaboration and incentivizing top talent in AI research.
Microsoft has expanded its .NET Bounty Program to cover adjacent technologies like F# and ASP.NET Core for .NET Framework, offering up to $40,000 for certain types of security flaws. The program's updated scope aims to attract top talent in AI research and cybersecurity experts to contribute meaningfully to Microsoft's efforts. The increased rewards are designed to incentivize security researchers to actively engage with the .NET Bounty Program, acknowledging the intricate process required to discover and exploit vulnerabilities. The changes reflect Microsoft's recognition that the intersection of software vulnerabilities and artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly important.
Microsoft has made a groundbreaking announcement regarding its bug bounty program, expanding its scope and increasing rewards for some of the most critical .NET vulnerabilities. This move is part of the company's ongoing efforts to bolster its cybersecurity posture and create a more secure future.
In a significant update to its .NET Bounty Program, Microsoft has raised the stakes by offering up to $40,000 for certain types of security flaws. These increased rewards reflect the growing complexity of modern software systems and the critical nature of these vulnerabilities. The program now covers not only .NET but also adjacent technologies like F# and ASP.NET Core for .NET Framework.
The changes are part of Microsoft's Secure Future Initiative (SFI), a comprehensive plan launched in November 2023, aimed at revitalizing its security culture. Following a scathing report by the Department of Homeland Security's Cyber Safety Review Board, which criticized Microsoft's security practices as inadequate, the company has embarked on a rigorous transformation.
This initiative is also closely tied to the Zero Day Quest, a hacking event launched during last year's Ignite annual conference, which focused on cloud and AI products and platforms. The event offered $4 million in rewards, underscoring Microsoft's commitment to fostering a culture of collaboration between researchers and security experts.
The .NET Bounty Program now includes more comprehensive coverage than ever before. This update reflects the company's recognition that the intersection of software vulnerabilities and artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly important. The expansion of the program's scope aims to attract top talent in AI research, as well as cybersecurity experts, who can contribute meaningfully to Microsoft's efforts.
The increased rewards are designed to incentivize security researchers to actively engage with the .NET Bounty Program. This move acknowledges that discovering and exploiting vulnerabilities is an intricate process requiring substantial skill and expertise. By offering greater rewards for critical discoveries, Microsoft hopes to foster a more vibrant community of researchers who can help identify and address emerging security threats.
The changes announced by Microsoft are a significant step forward in its commitment to cybersecurity. As the company continues to evolve its Secure Future Initiative, it remains dedicated to creating a secure digital landscape for all users. With this move, Microsoft sets a new standard for industry-wide collaboration on .NET vulnerability research, highlighting the critical role that responsible disclosure and reward structures can play in shaping the future of software security.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/Microsoft-Pledge-A-New-Era-of-Incentivizing-NET-Vulnerability-Research-ehn.shtml
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-now-pays-up-to-40-000-for-some-net-vulnerabilities/
Published: Thu Jul 31 13:41:56 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
