{"title":"ExpressVPN - Bug Bounty Program","slug":"expressvpn-bug-bounty-program","rules":"## ExpressVPN\n\nExpressVPN 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.\n\nSecurity is core to our values, and we value the input of hackers acting in good faith to help us maintain a high standard for the security and privacy of our users. This includes encouraging responsible vulnerability research and disclosure. We've offered an in-house bug bounty program for years and paid out thousands of dollars to security researchers in that time. We value excellent engineering and are always looking for ways to improve the security of our products and services.\n\n---\n# Announcement: $100,000 Bonus Award\n{YWH-P6800}\n\nAt ExpressVPN, we\u2019ve devised meticulous cybersecurity controls to keep our systems and users protected from attacks and intrusions. To ensure that our VPN software and systems meet the high standards of privacy and security that we promise to our customers, we rigorously test them in-house and invite auditors to conduct independent reviews.\n\nAs part of our external validations, we have a long-running bug bounty program, with which we invite security researchers to test our systems and receive financial rewards for any problems they find. Over the years, we have awarded tens of thousands of dollars to successful bug bounty hunters.\n\nIn addition: **The first person to find and demonstrate a security-critical bug on our VPN server technology, TrustedServer, will receive a new bonus award of US$100,000.00** which is 10 times the highest reward previously offered (but not claimed) by ExpressVPN.\n\nWith this new incentive, we seek to underline our confidence in TrustedServer\u2019s design and our commitment to providing essential privacy protections to users. Do we want someone to win the award? On the one hand, no\u2014because that would confirm the strength of our server security. But we are also deeply invested in discovering any vulnerabilities if they exist and are keen for feedback from the community. We would be thrilled to work with and reward anyone who successfully finds a bug.\n\n---\n\n## How to win it\n\nTo win the **one-time $100,000 bonus**, you must find and report **one of the following issues** on our VPN servers:\n\n- **Unauthorized access** to a VPN server or **remote code execution**\n- **Vulnerabilities** that:\n - Leak the **real IP addresses** of clients **as a result of a vulnerability in our VPN servers**\n - Allow an attacker to **monitor user traffic** on our VPN servers\n\n> The award goes to the **first valid submission**. \n> All activities must remain **in scope** of the **TrustedServer platform**.\nThis is: **10x** the highest reward previously offered (but not claimed) by ExpressVPN.\n\n**Note:** In order to qualify to claim this bounty, we will require proof of impact to our user\u2019s privacy. This will require demonstration of unauthorized access, remote code execution, IP address leakage or the ability to monitor unencrypted (non-VPN encrypted) user traffic.\n\nWith this new reward, we aim to:\n- Reaffirm our **confidence in TrustedServer\u2019s design**\n- Emphasize our **commitment to user privacy**\n- Encourage **community participation** in improving our security\n\n## Exclusions\nWe strive to ensure that our challenges are on a level playing field. Thus, the following individuals are not eligible to claim the bonus for the first critical finding:\n- full-time or part-time employees of ExpressVPN or any other subsidiary of Kape Technologies, as well as their friends and family; and\n- contractors, consultants, representatives, suppliers, vendors, or any other persons related to or otherwise affiliated with ExpressVPN\n\n---\n\n## Scope Description\n\n## ExpressVPN Core Functionalities\n\nThese are production services that are actively used by ExpressVPN customers and partners.\n\n**Included assets:**\n- `*.expressvpn.com` \u2014 Wildcard includes all subdomains and their children.\n- `expressvpn.jobs` \u2014 recruitment-related integrations\n- `gh-mail.expressvpn.com` \u2014 Greenhouse ATS integration\n\n---\n\n### ExpressVPN APIs\n\nThese are key backend systems used for authentication, service provisioning, and configuration management.\n\n- JWKS key location: `https:\/\/api.jwks.kape.com\/.well-known\/jwks.json`\n- Staging API: `https:\/\/xv-cp.apis-staging.xvtest.net`\n- General API Usage: `https:\/\/api.expressvpn.com`\n- Base API for other Open API spec endpoints: `https:\/\/cp.expressapisv2.net`\n\nDedicated IP (DIP) API calls go to the following endpoints:\n\n- `https:\/\/api.enc.kape.com`\n- `https:\/\/api.dbs.kape.com`\n- `https:\/\/api.dts.kape.com`\n- `https:\/\/api.blts.kape.com`\n- `https:\/\/api.pcrs.kape.com`\n- `https:\/\/api.jwks.kape.com`\n\n**Reference:** You are encouraged to review our OpenAPI spec: {YWH-P6464} to understand expected behaviors and endpoints.\n\n---\n\n### Browser Extensions\n\nThese extensions allow users to control the VPN from their browsers and integrate password management functionality. \n\n**Included assets:**\n- [ExpressVPN Chrome Extension](https:\/\/chromewebstore.google.com\/detail\/expressvpn-vpn-proxy-for\/fgddmllnllkalaagkghckoinaemmogpe?pli=1)\n- [ExpressVPN Firefox Extension](https:\/\/addons.mozilla.org\/en-US\/firefox\/addon\/expressvpn\/)\n- [ExpressVPN Keys Password Manager (Chrome)](https:\/\/chromewebstore.google.com\/detail\/expressvpn-keys-password\/blgcbajigpdfohpgcmbbfnphcgifjopc)\n\n*Note:* Please note that fingerprinting of the browser extension is not considered rewardable, as this is an accepted risk.\n---\n\n### Mobile Applications\n\nThese native apps provide core VPN connectivity and account features on mobile devices.\n\n**Included assets:**\n- [ExpressVPN Android Application (Play Store)](https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.expressvpn.vpn&hl=en)\n- [ExpressVPN iOS Application (App Store)](https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/us\/app\/expressvpn-ultra-secure-vpn\/id886492891)\n\n---\n\n### Desktop Applications\n\nThese VPN clients are designed for use on major desktop operating systems.\n\n**Included assets:**\n- [ExpressVPN Windows Application](https:\/\/www.expressvpn.com\/latest)\n- [ExpressVPN macOS Application](https:\/\/www.expressvpn.com\/latest)\n- [ExpressVPN Linux Application](https:\/\/www.expressvpn.com\/latest)\n\n---\n\n### Lightway VPN Protocol\n\nExpressVPN\u2019s in-house VPN protocol focused on speed, security, and reliability. It is open source and available in multiple implementations.\n\n**Included assets:**\n- [Lightway (Rust) - GitHub](https:\/\/github.com\/expressvpn\/lightway)\n- [WolfSSL Wrapper (Rust) - GitHub](https:\/\/github.com\/expressvpn\/wolfssl-rs)\n\n**Lightway** is a VPN protocol and reference implementation.\n\nIn our threat model users deploying Lightway are responsible for defining and enforcing the network access controls appropriate for their environment. \nSee here: [https:\/\/github.com\/expressvpn\/lightway\/blob\/main\/docs\/faq.md#firewall-configuration](https:\/\/github.com\/expressvpn\/lightway\/blob\/main\/docs\/faq.md#firewall-configuration)\n\nThe Lightway server\/client does not configure or manage firewall rules. If you are using the Lightway server\/client, you are responsible for ensuring that appropriate firewall rules are in place, including (but not limited to):\n\n+ Applying any required rate limiting\n+ Blocking or restricting IPv6 traffic\n+ Preventing IPv6 traffic from bypassing the tunnel. Without proper firewall configuration, traffic may bypass the tunnel depending on system and network settings.\n\nConsequently, network isolation, traffic enforcement, DNS leak prevention, kill switch behaviour, firewall policy, and other deployment-specific security controls are the responsibility of the integrator deploying Lightway.\n\n**WolfSSL Wrapper (Rust)** in scope vulnerabilities are either:\n\n+ vulnerabilities whose root cause lies within WolfSSL-rs itself, or\n+ vulnerabilities affecting the version of WolfSSL currently used by WolfSSL-rs, where a fixed version of WolfSSL is available and the demonstrated impact on WolfSSL-rs.\n\nAny vulnerability within WolfSSL should be directly reported to them.\n---\n\n### ExpressVPN VPN Servers\n\nExpressVPN operates a global fleet of VPN servers that users connect to from various devices.\n\n**Important notes:**\n- Full list of servers is **not publicly available**.\n- A subset is visible through ExpressVPN applications \u2014 **only these are in-scope**.\n- Brute-forcing, scanning the entire IP space, or disrupting VPN infrastructure is strictly prohibited.\n\nWe welcome responsible testing of endpoints exposed via the official apps that reflect real-world usage.\n\nFor any submissions related to our VPN servers, **please include a screenshot of the VPN application clearly showing the assigned IP address and location** used during testing.\n\n**Failure to provide this evidence may result in the report being closed or marked as incomplete.**\n\n---\n\n### ExpressVPN Aircove & Router Firmware\n\nAircove is ExpressVPN\u2019s custom VPN router with always-on protection and built-in VPN functionality.\n\n---\n\n## Engineering & Testing Environments\n\n### \\*.xvtest.net\n\nThis is the domain for ExpressVPN's and Kape's engineering tools, CI\/CD environments, and staging services.\n\n**Important notes:**\n- Wildcard includes all subdomains and their children.\n\n---\n\n### ExpressMailGuard\n\nThis currently acts primarly as a mail relay - this means spoofing is currently possible, and will not be reward.\nPlease focus on web application and mail relay related vulnerabilities.\n\n## Internal & Operational Infrastructure\n\n### \\*.xvservice.net and Subdomains\n\nThese domains are used for IT infrastructure, identity services, and deployment workflows.\n\n**Key subdomains:**\n- `1pw-scim.prd.iat.it.xvservice.net`: SCIM for 1Password\n- `gatekeeper.prd.iat.it.xvservice.net`: Legacy IAA service\n- `prd.iat.it.xvservice.net`, `vector.prd.iat.it.xvservice.net`: Production identity management\n- `it.xvservice.net`: VMware and IT systems\n\n---\n\n### Internal SaaS & IT Domains\n\n- `*.polymoon.it`, `corp.polymoon.it`: GlobalProtect, SaaS tools\n- `networkguard.com`: Redirects, web integrations\n\n---\n\n\n## Program Rules\n\n### Testing Policy & Responsible Disclosure\n\nPlease adhere to the following rules while performing research on this program:\n\n- Denial of service (DoS) attacks on ExpressVPN applications, servers, networks or infrastructure are strictly forbidden.\n- Avoid tests that could cause degradation or interruption of our services.\n- Do not use automated scanners or tools that generate large amount of network traffic.\n- Do not leak, copy, manipulate, or destroy any user data or files in any of our applications\/servers.\n- No vulnerability disclosure, full, partial or otherwise, is allowed.\n- Make sure to apply hunting requirements policy (User-Agent, VPN, etc.)\n\n### General Report Processing Rules\n- All reports must be complete upon submission - proof of concept, impact, and reproduction steps must be included from the outset.\n- Insufficient or overly theoretical reports will be closed and will not be revisited, even if additional evidence is submitted afterward - for reasons of team efficiency, rule adherence, and fairness toward researchers who provide complete reports. If your report is closed for these reasons, we will NOT review your additional evidence. Please submit a new report.\n- Well-structured reports with minor gaps (e.g. a reproduction difficulty or missing justification) will be handled collaboratively, and the team will explicitly request the needed information, which will be duly considered.\n- Resubmission is possible after a closure, but only if all necessary evidence is present and the vulnerability can be demonstrated according to the program's rules. Incomplete resubmissions risk being closed with the same motives, with consequences including credit deduction.\n- This policy exists to prioritize proven vulnerabilities, not to disadvantage researchers.\n\n### Reports of Credentials Exposure\n\nIn the context of this program, we do not intend to encourage, **accept or reward** reports of credential exposures that are not applicable to our program\u2019s scope and identified outside of our program\u2019s scope, such as:\n- Exposed credentials in\/from an out-of-scope asset\/source\n- Sensitive information exposed in\/from an out-of-scope asset\/source\n\nTo avoid encouraging dark and grey economies (e.g. credential trading, social engineering), we will not accept any report based on information not originating from a failure on our part or that of our service providers.\n\nThis includes (but is not limited to):\n- Stolen credentials gathered from unidentified sources\n- Credentials not applicable and not found in the in-scope assets\n- Exposed secrets unrelated to program scope\n- PII exposed on out-of-scope assets\n\n---\n\n### Important Precautions and Limitations\n\nAs a complement to the Program\u2019s rules and testing policy:\n\n- DO NOT alter compromised accounts by creating, deleting or modifying any data.\n- DO NOT use compromised accounts to search for post-auth vulnerabilities (they won\u2019t be eligible anyway).\n- DO NOT include Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in your report. REDACT\/OBFUSCATE all PII in screenshots or payloads.\n- In case of exposed credentials or secrets, limit yourself to verifying the credentials' validity.\n- In case of sensitive information leaks, DO NOT extract\/copy all data. Only describe and list what's visible.\n\n---\n\n## Reward Eligibility\n\nWe are happy to thank everyone who submits valid reports which help us improve the security of ExpressVPN. However, only those that meet the following eligibility requirements may receive a monetary reward:\n\n- You must be the first reporter of a vulnerability.\n- The vulnerability must be a qualifying vulnerability.\n- The report must contain:\n - Clear textual description of the vulnerability\n - Security impact on users and systems\n - Remediation suggestions\n - Proof of exploitation (screenshots, evidence)\n - Reproduction steps (payloads, code, commands)\n- You must comply with all testing policy rules.\n- You must not be a current or former employee or contractor of ExpressVPN.\n\n**Reward amounts depend on:**\n- Reward grid of the relevant scope\n- CVSS score and risk impact analysis\n\n---","rules_html":"

ExpressVPN<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Security is core to our values, and we value the input of hackers acting in good faith to help us maintain a high standard for the security and privacy of our users. This includes encouraging responsible vulnerability research and disclosure. We've offered an in-house bug bounty program for years and paid out thousands of dollars to security researchers in that time. We value excellent engineering and are always looking for ways to improve the security of our products and services.<\/p>\n

\n

Announcement: $100,000 Bonus Award<\/h1>\n

\"100k-bug-bounty.jpg\"<\/p>\n

At ExpressVPN, we\u2019ve devised meticulous cybersecurity controls to keep our systems and users protected from attacks and intrusions. To ensure that our VPN software and systems meet the high standards of privacy and security that we promise to our customers, we rigorously test them in-house and invite auditors to conduct independent reviews.<\/p>\n

As part of our external validations, we have a long-running bug bounty program, with which we invite security researchers to test our systems and receive financial rewards for any problems they find. Over the years, we have awarded tens of thousands of dollars to successful bug bounty hunters.<\/p>\n

In addition: The first person to find and demonstrate a security-critical bug on our VPN server technology, TrustedServer, will receive a new bonus award of US$100,000.00<\/strong> which is 10 times the highest reward previously offered (but not claimed) by ExpressVPN.<\/p>\n

With this new incentive, we seek to underline our confidence in TrustedServer\u2019s design and our commitment to providing essential privacy protections to users. Do we want someone to win the award? On the one hand, no\u2014because that would confirm the strength of our server security. But we are also deeply invested in discovering any vulnerabilities if they exist and are keen for feedback from the community. We would be thrilled to work with and reward anyone who successfully finds a bug.<\/p>\n

\n

How to win it<\/h2>\n

To win the one-time $100,000 bonus<\/strong>, you must find and report one of the following issues<\/strong> on our VPN servers:<\/p>\n