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Unveiling My Journey as a Bug Hunter: Exploring Chess.com Bug Bounty Program

Unveiling My Journey as a Bug Hunter: Exploring Chess.com Bug Bounty Program

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Neonx00
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Bug hunting is an exhilarating endeavor for cybersecurity enthusiasts like myself. In this blog post, I share my experience as a researcher with the Chess.com Bug Bounty Program. Throughout my engagement, I encountered various aspects that shaped my perception of the program, highlighting its strengths and areas for improvement.

  1. A Remarkably Professional Bug Bounty Team: From the outset, I was impressed by the professionalism exhibited by the Chess.com Bug Bounty Team. Their communication was prompt, clear, and courteous, creating an environment conducive to effective collaboration. Their commitment to maintaining professionalism contributed significantly to my overall positive experience with the program.

  2. Unearthing a Plethora of Vulnerabilities: During my participation in the Chess.com Bug Bounty Program, I had the opportunity to identify a substantial number of vulnerabilities within their application. Ranging from low to high-critical severity, these findings underscored the importance of robust security assessments. By addressing these vulnerabilities, Chess.com can enhance their platform's resilience and safeguard user data.

  3. Overlooking the Severity of XSS Vulnerabilities: A notable concern I observed within the Chess.com Bug Bounty Program is the outdated CVSS score assigned to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities. A score of 3.5 fails to capture the true severity of such flaws, particularly when attackers can gain full control over the victim's session. It is crucial for the program to reevaluate and update the CVSS score to reflect the potential impact and urgency associated with XSS vulnerabilities.

  4. Neglecting the Potential Destruction of Exploited Vulnerabilities: One area where the Chess.com Bug Bounty Program could improve is by considering the potential havoc that exploited vulnerabilities can cause. By comprehending the extent of damage an attacker could inflict, the program can prioritize the mitigation of high-risk vulnerabilities, safeguarding the platform and its users effectively.

  5. Balancing Response Times and Incoming Reports: Researchers participating in the Chess.com Bug Bounty Program often encounter extended response times, which can demotivate them from reporting further vulnerabilities. The program receives a high influx of reports, creating challenges in maintaining timely responses. Striking a balance between efficient response times and managing the volume of incoming reports is essential to foster a supportive and motivated bug hunting community.

  6. Handling Mistakes with Professionalism: As a researcher, I admit to making some mistakes in a few of my reports. However, I commend the Chess.com Bug Bounty Team for their professionalism in addressing these errors. Their understanding and constructive feedback enabled me to learn from these experiences, highlighting their commitment to fostering growth and improvement among researchers.

  7. An Official Page for Bug Bounty Program: To enhance clarity and streamline the bug bounty program, it would be advantageous for Chess.com to establish an official page dedicated to the program. This page should clearly define the scope of the program, including eligible targets, submission guidelines, and rules. Consolidating relevant information in a centralized location can provide researchers with a comprehensive understanding of the program's expectations.

Participating in the Chess.com Bug Bounty Program as a researcher has been a rewarding journey, marked by professionalism and the discovery of numerous vulnerabilities. While the program has notable strengths, such as a professional team and a wealth of identified vulnerabilities, there are areas that warrant attention. By revisiting their vulnerability classification approach, reassessing the CVSS score for XSS vulnerabilities, and considering the potential impact of exploits, Chess.com can further enhance their bug bounty program's effectiveness. Additionally, optimizing response times and providing a centralized, official page dedicated to the program can foster a thriving bug hunting community.

Through continuous improvement and collaboration between researchers and the Chess.com Bug Bounty Team, the program can fortify its platform, ensuring a safe and secure environment for chess enthusiasts around the world.