Bug bounty programs offer security researchers the chance to contribute to a safer internet — and get rewarded for their skills. This is the story of how one researcher on Hacklio turned dedication and expertise into a major security win and a generous bounty.

The Researcher

Alex, an independent ethical hacker with a passion for web application security, recently joined Hacklio’s platform. Determined to make an impact, Alex began by carefully reviewing the scope and rules of a large company’s bug bounty program hosted on Hacklio.

The Discovery

After hours of meticulous manual testing and analysis, Alex identified an Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR) vulnerability. The flaw could have allowed unauthorized users to access sensitive customer data — a serious security risk that required immediate attention.

The Response

Alex submitted a detailed report through Hacklio’s platform.

✅ The Hacklio triage team reviewed and validated the report within 24 hours.
✅ The company patched the vulnerability within 48 hours of confirmation.
✅ Alex was awarded a €5,000 bounty for the high-impact discovery.

The Impact

Thanks to Alex’s responsible disclosure and the fast response of Hacklio and the company’s security team, a critical vulnerability was resolved before it could be exploited by malicious actors.

This story highlights the power of collaboration between ethical hackers and organizations. With platforms like Hacklio, security researchers can make a real difference while being fairly rewarded for their efforts.

If you’re an ethical hacker or a company looking to strengthen your defenses, a well-run bug bounty program can deliver incredible value — for everyone