Darknet Diaries 114: HD
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Apr 5, 2022 
HD Moore, creator of the Metasploit framework, discusses his journey from playful hacking to becoming a cybersecurity pro. He delves into the ethical implications of hacking tools and shares the fascinating origin story of Metasploit, born from the early 2000s hacker culture. Moore reveals the challenges of penetration testing in the 90s and the complexities around responsible vulnerability disclosure. He also recounts intriguing tales from the hacker community and reflects on the evolution of security practices in response to emerging threats.
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Early Microsoft Interactions
- As a teenager, HD Moore found a vulnerability in Microsoft's download validation and reported it.
- He requested an MSDN license in return, beginning a series of interactions with Microsoft's security team.
The Demise of ActiveX
- Frustrated with Microsoft's lack of response, HD Moore and friends launched a campaign to disclose an exploit daily for a month.
- This pressure eventually led to the decline of ActiveX and Internet Explorer.
Responsible Disclosure
- Public disclosure, while effective, can be irresponsible due to the risk to others.
- Responsible disclosure involves privately informing the vendor first.