SpaceX Increases Reward for Finders of Starlink Security Vulnerabilities in its Bug Bounty Program to an Effulgent $100,000 for Hackers
SpaceX's Starlink bug bounty program, managed by Bugcrowd, offers rewards to security researchers for identifying critical vulnerabilities in the Starlink network and hardware. The program, launched in 2022, initially offered rewards up to $25,000 for hardware vulnerabilities and up to $100,000 for network vulnerabilities.
The rewards for software vulnerabilities range from $100 to $50,000, depending on the severity and impact of the vulnerability found. If a hardware bug compromises critical systems or enables persistent access, researchers could receive up to $100,000. However, for hardware vulnerabilities, rewards are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
The Starlink bug bounty program reviews 75% of reported vulnerabilities within two days, reflecting its commitment to rapid identification and remediation of bugs. To prevent service disruption for other users, hackers are prohibited from testing on live systems without explicit permission.
The program has paid out for more than 100 vulnerabilities, with recent average payouts around US$1,000 per discovery. In early 2025, the latest findings show that over 118 reported vulnerabilities were identified by security researchers, for which Starlink has paid out an average of about $1,466 per bug.
The Starlink bug bounty program prohibits the use of automated tools or scripts for testing purposes. Hackers participating in the program are required to test only on hardware they personally own. Any discovery of a potential satellite-level vulnerability must be immediately reported, with no further testing allowed.
The bug bounty program categorizes rewards into two main areas: software vulnerabilities and hardware systems. No detailed public list of the recent specific hardware vulnerabilities found or technical findings has been disclosed. However, the payout figures and reward ceilings illustrate Starlink’s significant investment in proactive cybersecurity through its bug bounty efforts.
In conclusion, SpaceX’s Starlink bug bounty program currently offers up to $100,000 for network hacks and up to $25,000 for hardware vulnerabilities, with over 118 bugs paid out, averaging close to $1,466 per bug in early 2025. The program actively encourages ethical hackers to participate in strengthening the security of Starlink at both the software and hardware levels.
- The Starlink bug bounty program, an initiative in the realm of cybersecurity, encourages ethical hackers to identify vulnerabilities not only in software but also in hardware systems, with potential rewards of up to $25,000 for hardware vulnerabilities.
- Amidst SpaceX's investment in advancements like space-and-astronomy and technology, the Starlink bug bounty program underlines the significance of robust security measures, offering substantial rewards to those who contribute to the protection of the Starlink network and hardware.
