Full Disclosure

Full Disclosure is a security vulnerability disclosure practice where all details of a vulnerability are made public immediately upon discovery, without prior notification to the vendor or responsible party. This approach aims to pressure organizations into quickly fixing security flaws by exposing them to public scrutiny and potential exploitation. It contrasts with coordinated or responsible disclosure, which involves giving vendors time to develop and deploy patches before public release.

Also known as: Immediate Disclosure, Public Disclosure, Open Disclosure, Vulnerability Disclosure, Security Disclosure

Why learn Full Disclosure?

Developers should understand Full Disclosure when working in cybersecurity, penetration testing, or vulnerability research, as it directly impacts how security flaws are handled and communicated. It is particularly relevant in high-stakes scenarios where vendors are unresponsive or slow to act, or when immediate public awareness is deemed necessary to protect users from imminent threats. Knowledge of this methodology helps in ethical decision-making and compliance with security policies and legal frameworks.

Learning Resources

• docs: Full Disclosure Policy - CERT Coordination Center
• tutorial: Vulnerability Disclosure: A Guide for Security Researchers - HackerOne
• docs: Full Disclosure vs. Responsible Disclosure - SANS Institute
• course: Ethical Hacking and Vulnerability Disclosure - Coursera Course
• video: The Full Disclosure Debate - YouTube Video by Security Weekly