Do you love taking things apart just to see how they work? Have a knack for finding flaws in systems? Maybe you just like the sound of earning some cash and exclusive GitHub swag? If any of that sounds like you, then the GitHub Bug Bounty program might be your next big adventure.

Every year, security researchers around the world help GitHub stay secure by finding and responsibly disclosing vulnerabilities. In return, they get rewarded with cash bounties, VIP perks, and exclusive bug bounty swag. And the best part? You don’t need to be an expert to get started.

Let’s meet the team and hear a little bit more about how it works!

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How the GitHub Bug Bounty Program works

The idea is simple:

🔎 You find security vulnerabilities in GitHub’s in-scope products and services.

📢 You report them responsibly through our Bug Bounty portal on HackerOne.

💰 We pay you based on the severity and impact of your findings.

Top hackers can earn thousands of dollars per report—one researcher even earned $75,000 for a particularly heinous bug!

Whether you’re just getting started or already an experienced security researcher, there’s a place for you in the program. Let’s hear from some of GitHub Bug Bounty’s top researchers on how to get started!

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How to get started as a bug bounty hunter

1. Choose a target

Picking the right target is key. First, check GitHub’s Bug Bounty scope to find a target that qualifies for a bounty.

Instead of randomly searching for bugs, bug bounty researcher @imrerad suggests starting with products you genuinely like or are familiar with:

"I tend to be less motivated at products I don’t like, so I try to focus on others instead."

A good place to begin is the GitHub Changelog, where new features and updates are announced. Many security researchers find their best discoveries in newly released features, as they haven’t yet been targeted by a bug bounty.

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2. Learn everything you can

Once you’ve chosen a target, study it thoroughly. Successful bug bounty hunters don’t rely on automated tools alone—they dive deep into how a feature works and look for potential weak points.

Bug bounty hunter @adrianoapj shares his process:

"I start by learning everything I can about the specific feature or project. Then, I write down entry points for vulnerabilities and test those assumptions until I find something."

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3. Research common vulnerability types

Some bugs are easier to spot than others, and knowing what to look for increases your chances of success. Here are some favorites:

• Information disclosure 📝 – "They present significant impact and are sometimes easy to spot," says @adrianoapj.
• Logic bugs 🧩 – "I like logic bugs the most, ones that are unique," says @imrerad.
• Privilege escalation 🔑 – "For example, in GitHub Enterprise Server, there was a trend of privilege escalation issues," @imrerad notes.

To begin your research, @adrianoapj suggests paying attention to:

• Hacker101 for people that are starting to learn about cybersecurity and Bug Bounty.
• Hack The Box and Hack The Box Academy to everyone looking to improve skills and test knowledge on offensive cybersecurity.
• Write-ups in general, including blogs, X posts, and public reports available on HackerOne.

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4. Test, iterate, and refine your approach

Finding bugs takes patience, creativity, and persistence. @imrerad recommends keeping detailed notes and continuously refining your attack strategies.

"Make verbose notes. This will save you a lot of time when you eventually need to reproduce something several months later or just want to help out someone with the conclusions you made."

Many vulnerabilities are discovered through repeated testing and iterating on attack methods. Don’t assume that something is too simple to be a bug. Even highly secure systems can have overlooked flaws.

"Don’t let prejudice fool you. Even super-talented engineers make mistakes sometimes, so don’t skip verifying attacks that you think are trivial."

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5. Submit your report

Once you’ve found a vulnerability, it’s time to responsibly report it. A well-documented submission ensures your report gets the attention it deserves and increases your chances of earning a reward. Here’s what you need to know before submitting:

📋 Provide clear reproduction steps - All reports must include written instructions for reproducing the vulnerability. Reports without clear reproduction steps or those that rely solely on videos may be ineligible for rewards. Screenshots and step-by-step guides will help maintainers efficiently verify the issue.

🔒 Keep all information within HackerOne - Do not post details of your vulnerability to external platforms such as video-sharing sites or pastebin services. Videos and images should be uploaded directly to HackerOne.

📌 Handle PII responsibly - If your vulnerability involves personally identifiable information (PII), explain the type of data that is exposed while limiting the amount of actual PII included in your report. Redact sensitive information in screenshots and text descriptions.

⏳ Be patient and keep it confidential - Fixing vulnerabilities takes time. Please do not publicly disclose any details about the issue until GitHub has resolved it and made the fix publicly available.

A thorough, well-structured report will help expedite the review process and ensure that your contribution makes a meaningful impact.

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Get started hunting today

Bug bounties aren’t just about cash rewards—they’re a great way to sharpen your security skills, build a name for yourself, and contribute to a more secure internet!

🔍 Ready to hack? Explore open targets and submit your first report at bounty.github.com.

We can’t wait to see what you find. Happy hunting! 👁️🐛💰

Get started now

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✨ This newsletter was written by Mike Melanson and produced by Gwen Davis. ✨

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