Responsible Disclosure Policy
Our Commitment
ExploitPortal is committed to responsible disclosure practices and supporting the
cybersecurity community in identifying and addressing security vulnerabilities
in a safe, legal, and ethical manner.
Last Updated: July 21, 2025
Effective Date: July 21, 2025
1. What is Responsible Disclosure?
Responsible disclosure is the practice of reporting security vulnerabilities to
the affected organization or vendor in a manner that allows them to fix the issue
before it is publicly disclosed or exploited by malicious actors.
Core Principles
- Protect users and organizations from active threats
- Give vendors reasonable time to develop and deploy fixes
- Collaborate with security teams to verify and remediate issues
- Share knowledge to improve overall security posture
- Follow legal and ethical guidelines at all times
2. Responsible Disclosure Process
2.1 Standard Timeline
Day 0
Initial Report
→
Day 1-7
Acknowledgment
→
Day 30
Status Update
→
Day 90
Fix or Disclosure
2.2 Step-by-Step Process
Discovery and Initial Assessment
Identify the vulnerability through legitimate research or testing.
Document the issue with sufficient detail to reproduce and understand its impact.
Secure Reporting
Report the vulnerability through official channels ([email protected],
bug bounty platforms, or security contact forms). Use encrypted communication
when possible.
Acknowledgment and Verification
The vendor acknowledges receipt and begins verification of the reported issue.
This typically occurs within 1-7 business days.
Coordination and Remediation
Work with the vendor to understand the scope, develop fixes, and coordinate
disclosure timelines. Provide additional information as needed.
Fix Development and Testing
The vendor develops and tests a fix. This may involve multiple iterations
and coordination with the researcher for validation.
Coordinated Disclosure
After the fix is deployed, the vulnerability may be publicly disclosed
with proper attribution and technical details for educational purposes.
3. Best Practices for Researchers
3.1 Before Testing
Critical Requirements
- Obtain explicit written permission before testing systems you don't own
- Review and comply with the organization's security policy
- Ensure your testing is legal in your jurisdiction
- Use only test accounts and non-production systems when possible
- Minimize impact on system availability and data integrity
3.2 During Research
- Limit testing to the minimum necessary to prove the vulnerability
- Document all steps and evidence securely
- Avoid accessing, modifying, or deleting data
- Don't perform actions that could harm users or systems
- Respect rate limits and system resources
3.3 Reporting Guidelines
- Provide clear, detailed vulnerability reports
- Include step-by-step reproduction instructions
- Assess and communicate the potential impact
- Suggest remediation approaches when possible
- Use secure communication channels
4. Reporting Channels and Contacts
4.1 Common Reporting Channels
Official Channels
- Security email addresses ([email protected])
- Bug bounty platforms (HackerOne, Bugcrowd, etc.)
- Vendor security portals and contact forms
- CERT/CC and national CERTs
- Industry-specific reporting mechanisms
4.2 ExploitPortal Vulnerability Reporting
If you discover a vulnerability in ExploitPortal itself, please report it to:
Security Team: [email protected]
PGP Key: Available on request
Response Time: 24-48 hours
Bounty Program: Case-by-case basis
5. Legal and Ethical Considerations
5.1 Legal Protections
Many jurisdictions have laws that protect good-faith security researchers:
- Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) - Research exceptions
- EU Cybersecurity Act - Responsible disclosure protections
- Safe Harbor provisions in various countries
- Vendor-specific legal safe harbors
5.2 Ethical Guidelines
Ethical Principles
- Act in good faith with intent to improve security
- Respect user privacy and data confidentiality
- Minimize harm to systems and users
- Be transparent about your research methods
- Give credit where due and collaborate openly
6. Disclosure Timeline Guidelines
6.1 Standard Timeframes
Recommended Timelines
- Critical vulnerabilities: 30-45 days
- High severity issues: 60-90 days
- Medium severity issues: 90-120 days
- Low severity issues: 120+ days
6.2 Special Circumstances
- Active exploitation in the wild may require immediate disclosure
- Complex fixes may justify extended timelines
- Vendor cooperation affects disclosure decisions
- Public interest may accelerate disclosure
7. Educational Resources
7.1 Learning Resources
Recommended Reading
- NIST Cybersecurity Framework
- OWASP Testing Guide
- ISO 27001/27002 Standards
- CERT Coordination Center Guidelines
- Academic research on responsible disclosure
7.2 Professional Development
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification
- CISSP and other security certifications
- University cybersecurity programs
- Professional conferences and workshops
- Peer learning and mentorship programs
8. Supporting the Community
8.1 How ExploitPortal Supports Researchers
We support the responsible disclosure community by:
- Providing educational resources and threat intelligence
- Facilitating collaboration between researchers
- Promoting best practices and ethical guidelines
- Supporting legitimate security research
- Maintaining comprehensive vulnerability databases
8.2 Community Guidelines
- Respect fellow researchers and their work
- Share knowledge and collaborate openly
- Mentor newcomers to the field
- Uphold professional and ethical standards
- Contribute to the security community's reputation
Working Together
Responsible disclosure is a collaborative effort. By working together,
security researchers, vendors, and the broader cybersecurity community can create
a safer digital environment for everyone. Thank you for your commitment to ethical
and responsible security research.