.NET Bug Bounty Now Pays $40,000 for Critical Flaws

Microsoft has updated its security rewards program to include larger payouts for .NET-related vulnerabilities. The .NET bug bounty now pays researchers up to $40,000 for critical flaws like remote code execution or privilege escalation. The updated program reflects Microsoft’s growing focus on community-driven security improvements.

Microsoft Expands the Program’s Scope

The bounty program now covers all supported versions of .NET and ASP.NET Core, including newer frameworks like Aspire and Blazor. It also includes F#, official templates, and GitHub Actions workflows used in the .NET ecosystem. This broader scope creates more opportunities for ethical hackers to participate.

Researchers can now earn the following rewards:

• $40,000 for remote code execution or privilege escalation
• $30,000 for bypassing key security features
• $20,000 for remote denial-of-service vulnerabilities

Submissions must include a complete proof of concept. Microsoft may reduce the payout if the report lacks necessary technical details.

Simpler Rules, Bigger Incentives

The new program introduces a clearer reward structure. Microsoft wants to simplify the process for researchers and encourage high-quality submissions. Unlike older bounty setups, this version emphasizes full exploit chains and responsible disclosure.

Microsoft also notes that issues found in legacy systems are still eligible if the systems remain officially supported.

The changes follow recent reward increases in other Microsoft programs, including bounties for AI vulnerabilities in Power Platform and Copilot.

Why This Matters

The .NET ecosystem powers many enterprise and cloud-based applications. Bugs in these frameworks can lead to serious data breaches or system compromise. By offering bigger payouts, Microsoft hopes to attract skilled researchers and prevent abuse by malicious actors.

Conclusion

Microsoft’s improved .NET bug bounty delivers higher rewards, a wider testing scope, and simpler guidelines. Ethical hackers now have more incentive than ever to help secure Microsoft’s developer tools—while earning up to $40,000 per report.