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Write a security fix commit that doesn't reveal the bug

  • For Software developers
  • You practice Setting limits and rules
  • Time about 5 minutes

About this exercise

Write the commit message for this security fix. Your repo is public and the advisory isn't out yet, so policy says: subject 'fix(security): ' plus a neutral summary under 50 characters, then only two trailer lines, 'Ref: SEC-212' and 'Reviewed-by: Dana Ito', with no body text and nothing that hints at how to trigger the bug. Put it in exactly 1 code block of at most 3 non-empty lines, with under 10 words outside it.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Describing the bug. The AI writes a helpful message like 'fix path traversal via ../' that tells attackers what to try. Try: Say: "Public repo, advisory not out: nothing about how to trigger the bug."
  • Wrong prefix or reference. The AI picks its own style, like 'Security: fix download bug (#212)'. Try: Give the shape: "fix(security): <summary>, then Ref: SEC-212 and Reviewed-by: Dana Ito, no body."
  • Chatter around it. The AI explains the fix and adds tips. Try: Add: "Only the message in 1 code block."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Explains the disclosure rule
  • Gives the subject prefix
  • Gives the trailer lines
  • Asks for one code block
  • Limits the explanation

Practice this now ↑

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