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Artificial Bugs for Bug Bounty

Author

Listed:
  • Gersbach, Hans
  • Pitsuwan, Fikri
  • Blieske, Pio

Abstract

Bug bounty programs, where external agents are invited to search and report vulnerabilities (bugs) in exchange for rewards (bounty), have become a major tool for companies to improve their systems. We suggest augmenting such programs by inserting artificial bugs to increase the incentives to search for real (organic) bugs. Using a model of crowdsearch, we identify the efficiency gains by artificial bugs, and we show that for this, it is sufficient to insert only one artificial bug. Artificial bugs are particularly beneficial, for instance, if the designer places high valuations on finding organic bugs or if the budget for bounty is not sufficiently high. We discuss how to implement artificial bugs and outline their further benefits.

Suggested Citation

  • Gersbach, Hans & Pitsuwan, Fikri & Blieske, Pio, 2024. "Artificial Bugs for Bug Bounty," CEPR Discussion Papers 19047, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:19047
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Crowdsearch; Bug Bounty; Artificial Bug; Cybersecurity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • M52 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Compensation and Compensation Methods and Their Effects

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