J&K: Kulgam Techie Earns NASA 'Hall Of Fame' Spot After Identifying Data Breach Vulnerabilities

In the world of cybersecurity, where every loophole presents a potential threat, Munneb Amin Bhat from J&K's Kulgam has secured a spot in NASA's 'Hall od Frame' for his achievement in the field.

Muneeb Amin Bhat, a 22-year-old cybersecurity enthusiast from Zungalpora village in South Kashmir's Kulgam district, has made the headlines by securing a spot in NASA's 'Hall of Frame' for his contributions to bolstering the space agency's system security. It is not the first time Bhat has been in the news, last year, he gained recognition for his role in Apple's 'Hall of Frame' after successfully identifying vulnerabilities in their systems. 

Now, he adds another feather to his cap by discovering security breaches within NASA's system infrastructure. 

Speaking about his latest achievement, Bhat revealed, "This time, I directed my efforts towards NASA, the United States government agency dedicated to space exploration and aeronautics research. I ethically hacked and secured their systems. Upon uncovering multiple vulnerabilities, I promptly reported my findings".

Under NASA's Vulnerability Disclosure Program (VDP), designed to facilitate the identification of external vulnerabilities in their system, Bhat diligently followed protocols. He refrained from disclosing specific details of the vulnerabilities but highlighted that they pertained to sensitive data exposure, indicating potential data breaches compromising confidential information. 

According to NASA's VDP guidelines, once a vulnerability or sensitive data is encountered, the testing must cease immediately, and NASA should be notified promptly, with details kept confidential.

NASA, acknowledging Bhat's contributions, confirmed the validity of his discoveries and honoured him by inducting him into their 'Hall of Frame' for his efforts in enhancing their system security. 

A Look At Bhat's Journey Into Ethical Hacking

Bhat's journey into ethical hacking spans over a decade, marked by relentless learning and growth. Alongside his achievements with Apple and NASA, he has uncovered vulnerabilities in various other top organisations, including Oracle, McDonald's, Intel, and Indeed, among others. 

Reflecting on his passion for technology and hacking, Bhat remarked, "My passion for technology dates back to my childhood, when I developed a love for gadgets, phones, laptops, and computers. My journey into hacking began in fifth grade, unaware of its illegality, which I realised later, resulting in delving deeper, continually learning and growing in my craft". 

Currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Applications (BCA) from IGNOU, Bhat's dedication to cybersecurity has made many realise the importance of vigilance in an increasingly digital world. "In today’s digital era, nothing is completely secure, and no matter how big an organization is, if it is connected to a network, it is vulnerable to being hacked," he said.