Customer Spotlight: ExpressVPN Public Bug Bounty

About ExpressVPN:

ExpressVPN operates thousands of VPN servers and makes cross-platform VPN applications for all major desktop and mobile operating systems as well as routers and browser extensions.

About the Program:

ExpressVPN’s public program will be focused on:

• Vulnerabilities in its client applications, especially vulnerabilities that lead to privilege escalation
• Any kind of unauthorized access on its VPN servers
• Vulnerabilities that exposes or puts customer data at risk to unauthorized persons
• Vulnerabilities that weaken, break or otherwise subvert VPN communications in a way that exposes the traffic to other VPN product users 

What’s In It For You:

ExpressVPN has a self-hosted, public bug bounty program since 2016 and is now leveraging the growing talent of the Crowd. This program has a P1 reward range of $2,100 – $2,500 and an average payout of $750. With a variety of target assets and skill types, this program has opportunities for all researchers in both recon and deep-diving security vulnerabilities.

Scope:

Assets in scope include:

• VPN servers
• ExpressVPN iOS application
• ExpressVPN android application
• ExpressVPN Linux application
• ExpressVPN macOS application
• ExpressVPN Windows application
• ExpressVPN Router
• ExpressVPN Firefox extension
• ExpressVPN Chrome extension
• MediaStreamer DNS servers
• ExpressVPN APIs
• expressvpn.com
• *.expressvpn.com
• *.xvservice.net
• *.expressobutiolem.onion
• Apple App Store (886492891)
• Google Play (com.expressvpn.vpn)
• Internal systems:
  1. Employee email
  2. Internal chat messages
  3. Source code hosting
  4. Any vulnerability that compromises the privacy of our employees
• Additionally, any publicly accessible host that is owned or operated by ExpressVPN that is not in the above list may be considered in-scope on a case-by-case basis.

Valid bug reports include any bugs related to the privacy and security capabilities of:

• ExpressVPN’s VPN and DNS servers
• ExpressVPN apps
• ExpressVPN browser extensions
• ExpressVPN websites
• ExpressVPN profiles on the App Store and Google Play Store

Skills:

This is an attractive program for anyone with skills in:

• Web app security
• API security
• Thick client security in Windows, Mac and Linux apps
• Mobile device app service for iOS and Android
• Browser extension security for Edge, Firefox, and Chrome
• Router firmware and related security
• Security and encryption protocol security 

What Can You Expect From This Program:

When working with the ExpressVPN team, you can expect them to:

• Extend Safe Harbor for your vulnerability research
• Work with you to understand and validate your report, including a timely initial response to the submission
• Work to remediate discovered vulnerabilities in a timely manner
• Recognize your contribution to improving their security if you are the first to report a unique vulnerability, and your report triggers a code or configuration change

Interested in learning more?

• Portswigger’s Web Security Academy: https://portswigger.net/web-security
• Cyber Mentor’s video course on Web Application Hacking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24fHLWXGS-M
• OWASP’s Mobile Security Guide:  https://owasp.org/www-project-mobile-security-testing-guide/
• OWASP’s Guide to IoT: https://owasp.org/www-pdf-archive/OWASP-IoT-Top-10-2018-final.pdf