SpaceX Increases Reward for Discovering Starlink Security Vulnerabilities to a Maximum of $100,000 for Hackers
In the ever-evolving world of technology, SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service has become a significant player. One of the ways SpaceX ensures the security of its Starlink network is through a bug bounty program, designed to invite security researchers to report vulnerabilities.
The program, run in collaboration with HackerOne, invites security researchers to scrutinize web applications, network infrastructure, and satellite communication components related to Starlink. The rewards for valid security vulnerabilities typically range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on their severity.
Key aspects of such bug bounty programs include:
- Reward amounts: Critical exploits can earn higher payouts, with some reaching tens of thousands of US dollars.
- Target categories: Infrastructure, endpoints, APIs, and web interfaces related to Starlink are the primary focus.
- Guidelines: Ethical hackers are expected to avoid service disruption, respect user privacy, avoid accessing unrelated systems, and disclose findings only through authorized channels.
However, a comprehensive search of available resources does not provide explicit or detailed information about the history, reward tiers, scope, or policy changes of SpaceX's Starlink bug bounty program. For the most accurate and current information, it is advisable to check the official HackerOne Starlink program page or SpaceX’s security disclosure channels directly.
The initial offering of the bug bounty program in 2022 saw rewards up to $25,000. Today, the program offers rewards up to $100,000 for identifying critical vulnerabilities in the Starlink network and hardware. Researchers can earn between $100 and $50,000 for software vulnerabilities like SQL injections, remote code execution, and privilege escalation within Starlink's online platforms. Recent average payouts for discoveries in the Starlink program are around US$1,000 per discovery.
The hardware side of the bug bounty program evaluates vulnerabilities in Starlink antenna, routers, or backend infrastructure on a case-by-case basis. Hackers testing in the Starlink program must test only on hardware they personally own and must avoid disrupting service for other users.
It's worth noting that any discovery of a potential satellite-level vulnerability must be immediately reported, and no further testing is allowed. The bug bounty program has strict guidelines in place to prevent abuse and has paid out for over 100 vulnerabilities. The program has two main categories: software vulnerabilities and hardware systems, and is designed to strengthen the cybersecurity of SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service.
Finally, the bug bounty program is open to security researchers and ethical, or white hat hackers. The program does not specify a deadline for submissions or when rewards will be distributed.
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