A hacker, known by the handle 7h3h4ckv157, recently shared on social media platform X that they had discovered security vulnerabilities within NASA’s systems. The hacker informed the space agency directly about these issues, allowing NASA time to address the gaps before going public. In a post, they wrote, “I hacked @NASA (again) and reported some vulnerabilities to them. Just today, I received this appreciation letter from them after they patched the loopholes!”
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In response, NASA acknowledged the hacker’s findings and sent an official appreciation letter signed by Mark Witt from NASA’s Office of the Chief Information Officer. The letter commended the hacker for their responsible approach to identifying and reporting the vulnerabilities, highlighting their adherence to NASA’s Vulnerability Disclosure Policy (VDP).
NASA expressed gratitude for the hacker’s contributions, noting their important role in safeguarding the “integrity and availability” of the agency’s information systems. Witt stated, “We would like to recognize your efforts as an independent security researcher, both in identifying the vulnerability you submitted and for following NASA’s VDP policy and guidelines.”
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Reactions on social media were largely supportive of the hacker, with many users praising their decision to report the vulnerabilities rather than exploit them. Some users even joked about the absence of a tangible reward from NASA, highlighting the often underappreciated work of ethical hackers. The incident underscores the importance of responsible disclosure in cybersecurity and the positive impact of collaboration between security researchers and organizations like NASA in enhancing digital security. This hacker’s actions serve as a reminder of the crucial role that independent researchers play in protecting sensitive information and systems.
