Disclosure

The vendor hears first

We publish after ninety days, fixed or not. The same terms apply to every vendor.

The clock

What happens, and when

The clock starts when we report the flaw.

  1. We report it

    Privately, with a working reproduction.

    We send the analysis, affected versions, and proof of concept to the vendor's security contact. We do not announce it first.

  2. You acknowledge

    We ask for an acknowledgement within seven days.

    If there is no reply, we try another contact, then a CERT or coordinator. The publication clock keeps running.

  3. You fix it

    The window is ninety days, from the day we reported it.

    The clock starts at our report. We can extend by fourteen days for a fix in progress, and further for an agreed release date. Extensions are not indefinite.

  4. We publish

    On the date, whether or not it is fixed.

    The advisory includes analysis, contact dates, responses, and fix status. If unfixed, it gives users defensive steps.

One exception

When it is already being exploited

For active exploitation, we shorten the window to seven days and publish defensive guidance, fixed or not.

Commitments

What we will and will not do with a flaw

Our rules for handling findings.

  • The vendor hears first

    The vendor hears before clients or the public, including when a client commissioned the research.

  • We do not sell to brokers

    We do not sell undisclosed flaws to brokers or offensive-capability buyers.

  • Proof of concept, not weapons

    We publish enough to prove the flaw, limiting detail when it would enable misuse.

  • Authorised research only

    We work only on lawful targets or those authorised in writing by their owner.

  • Other people's data stays other people's

    If we encounter real user data, we stop, report it, and retain none of it.

  • Credit where it is due

    We credit vendors and engineers who fix findings, if they want credit.

There is no version of this where something we found stays unfixed because somebody paid for it to.

In reverse

Reporting something to us

Found a flaw in this site, a Skull Solutions system, or our tools? Email us. We acknowledge within seven days, make no legal threats, and credit you if you wish.

Report something to us

Found something in ours?

Acknowledgement within seven days, and you get credited unless you would rather not.

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