Are you a security researcher looking to improve your bug bounty report quality and increase your payouts? A well-structured report speeds up the triage process, reduces back-and-forth communication, and ensures your findings are validated and rewarded. That’s why we put together this Reporting Guide to create an efficient, concise, high-impact Bug bounty vulnerability report. Check out the steps you can follow to increase your chances of getting rewarded!
A well-documented PoC allows our triage analysts to quickly replicate and validate the security issue, reducing unnecessary back-and-forth communication. Without a working PoC, it can be difficult to determine the validity of a reported vulnerability, potentially delaying the review process. Including a clear PoC streamlines triage, ensuring faster assessment and a smoother path to payout.
The most important deciding factor when determining the severity of a security issue is the demonstrated negative impact. We highly recommend not just mentioning the potential negative impact, but demonstrating it clearly so it can be accurately factored into the report’s final severity rating. For example, in a Local File Inclusion report, “It is possible to extract the “/etc/passwd” file” it’s far more effective to demonstrate it directly by including a partial content exposure in the reproduction steps. The more severe negative impact you can demonstrate (safely, of course), the higher the severity of the report - they are directly correlated!
One of the most important things to consider when reporting a security vulnerability is the quality of the report. If a report is overly long but lacks clear, direct details, it becomes difficult to understand and validate. However, a well-structured report that is concise yet detailed, includes a working PoC, and clearly demonstrates the negative impact makes the triage process significantly easier—allowing us to validate and pay out much faster and reward you!
We’ve noticed many security researchers turn in reports for Out of Scope issues. While these reports may highlight valid security concerns, they often receive an Informational severity rating without a bounty, or are rejected altogether. To make sure your report is eligible for a bounty, make sure to read over the Program Description in full detail, and read through the Scope and Out of Scope sections in even more detail. We have a full standard Out of Scope list posted here. If the security issue is in scope, it’s valid, and has not been reported previously, you will earn a bounty!
The main way security researchers communicate with our triage analysts is through the report comments section. During the triage process, we may reach out with questions and request additional details to validate a finding. Delays in responses can slow down the process significantly, while prompt replies help expedite validation—leading to faster report acceptance and faster payouts.
Our most successful security researchers share a few key traits—kindness, respect, and ingenuity. When researchers consistently demonstrate these qualities, we reciprocate in kind. This can lead to exclusive access to private programs, higher severity considerations, and more opportunities for success. Respect goes a long way with us and has led to many successful relationships! Check out our Researcher Hall of Fame.
We often see security researchers submit a high volume of reports that lack a clear, demonstrable negative impact. While these findings may be valid, they typically receive an Informational severity rating and do not qualify for a bounty. To maximize payouts, focus on higher-impact vulnerabilities rather than low-hanging fruit. Whenever possible, chain multiple issues together to demonstrate a greater security risk, increasing both severity and reward potential. For example, chaining issues such as “IDOR” and “XSS” (affecting cross-tenant users via Cross-Site Scripting) or “BAC” and “SQLi” (performing unauthenticated SQL injection) can lead to more impactful reports. The higher the complexity, the easier the exploitability, and the more impact which is shown - the higher the payout!
At Inspectiv, our top priority is the success of dedicated security researchers. We recognize the hard work, skill, and persistence it takes to uncover vulnerabilities, and we are committed to providing the tools, resources, and opportunities needed to help you thrive.
By following these best practices, you can improve your reporting skills, streamline the triage process, and increase your chances of earning higher payouts. Clear and concise reports, well-documented PoCs, and demonstrated impact not only help you stand out but also contribute to a stronger security ecosystem.
We’re here to support you on this journey. Whether it’s through access to private programs, insights from our team, or continued learning opportunities, we want to see you succeed. Keep refining your skills, stay engaged with our platform, and continue making the internet a safer place—your efforts make a real impact!
Cheers, and Happy Hunting moving forward!
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