Security News > 2021 > June > GitHub Updates Policies on Vulnerability Research, Exploits
Code hosting platform GitHub says it has updated its policies regarding vulnerability research, malware, and exploits, to permit dual-use security research.
Previously, the policies could be considered hostile toward projects with dual-use content, but the updated guidelines aim to make it clear that GitHub "Enables, welcomes, and encourages" dual-use security research - i.e. research that can be used for both good and bad purposes.
GitHub proposed some policy updates after some members of the cybersecurity community raised concerns over the removal of proof-of-concept exploit code for some Microsoft Exchange vulnerabilities.
Many projects hosted on the platform are dual-use, and GitHub says it understands that these are beneficial to the security community.
In addition to making it clear that it welcomes dual-use content, GitHub shed more light on how and when it may take action against attacks that abuse the platform as an exploit/malware content delivery network, underlining that it does not tolerate the use of GitHub in support of unlawful attacks.
"We continue to welcome feedback and improvements on our various site policies and look forward to working together with the community to continue to drive improvements in this space," GitHub concluded.