Microsoft’s Bug Report Blunder: When Screenshots Aren’t Enough!
Vulnerability disclosure gets a comedic twist as analyst Will Dormann responds to Microsoft’s video demand with a 15-minute clip featuring a Zoolander homage. Dormann’s frustration with the request highlights the absurdity of requiring proof of concept in video form, raising questions about whether the process prioritizes procedure over understanding.
Hot Take:
Microsoft, in a surprise move, has decided that the future of cybersecurity is in cinema. Who knew vulnerability reports needed to be Sundance Film Festival-worthy? Next up: a sequel featuring a dramatic reenactment of a Windows crash, complete with special effects and a Hans Zimmer soundtrack.
Key Points:
- Will Dormann, a senior vulnerability analyst, criticized Microsoft for requiring a video with his bug report.
- Despite providing a detailed written report and screenshots, MSRC insisted on a video proof of concept.
- Dormann created a video with humorous elements, highlighting the absurdity of the video request.
- The video upload to Microsoft’s portal failed due to a 403 error, adding to the frustration.
- Microsoft’s demand for videos is not a common practice in the cybersecurity industry.
Microsoft’s Oscar Ambitions
In a dramatic twist that rivals reality TV, the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) has decided that vulnerability reports should come with their own video proof of concept. Move over Hollywood, there’s a new player in town! When seasoned vulnerability analyst Will Dormann sent in his detailed bug report, complete with screenshots and all the fixings, MSRC coolly responded with a request for a video. Because who doesn’t love a good tech thriller? Dormann, who is clearly not a director by trade, was understandably irked by Microsoft’s insistence on a cinematic experience to accompany his written report.
Lights, Camera, Frustration!
In a display of malicious compliance that would make any trickster proud, Dormann produced a video that included a quick nod to the cult classic Zoolander, with a techno track to boot. The video was mostly dedicated to showcasing Dormann’s sheer exasperation, featuring 14 minutes of thrilling inactivity, a stark commentary on the unnecessary hoop-jumping required by Microsoft. The cherry on top? When the time came to upload his award-worthy masterpiece to Microsoft’s portal, Dormann was met with a 403 error. Clearly, the tech giant’s portal wasn’t prepared for such cinematic brilliance.
The Industry Standard (Or Lack Thereof)
Unlike Microsoft, many cybersecurity bodies like CISA and the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre tend to keep things simple. They don’t typically demand videos, instead relying on written reports with optional supporting documents. It’s akin to asking for a short essay rather than a full-blown Broadway production. Dormann’s experience shines a light on the disparity in reporting practices and highlights the unnecessary complexity that some organizations impose on vulnerability disclosure.
MSRC’s Script Needs a Rewrite
The tale of Dormann and the video-that-couldn’t-upload underscores the need for a more streamlined and understanding approach from organizations receiving vulnerability reports. While other platforms such as HackerOne and Bugcrowd might occasionally ask for videos, Dormann argues that this demand often signals a lack of genuine engagement with the report itself. It’s as if the reviewers are following a checklist without truly understanding the plot.
To Be Continued…
As Dormann awaits a response from Microsoft, the cybersecurity community watches with popcorn in hand. His experience serves as a cautionary tale for companies everywhere: when researchers go out of their way to help, the least you can do is roll out the red carpet—or at least meet them halfway. As Dormann aptly points out, those doing the “right thing” deserve a little more respect and a little less bureaucratic theater.