Benjamin Kunz Mejri
Born May 6, 1983 in Kassel, Hesse, Germany • Next birthday: May 6, 2026
May 6, 1983
Kassel, Hesse, Germany0
0 likesMay 6, 2026
197 days out13
Total visitsThe extraordinary journey of Benjamin Kunz Mejri began not in fame, but in quiet determination, a bold vision, and a resolve to expose hidden weaknesses in digital systems. Born on 1983-05-06 in Kassel, Hesse, Germany, he grew up in a modest environment but developed a fascination for computing and security early on. He studied business informatics at Fachoberschule Kassel between 2003 and 2005, then shifted into full-time research and practice.
Driven by early skepticism from establishment players, he opened a public vulnerability portal (his first lab) in 2005, and by 2008 already led research at what became the independent platform Vulnerability Lab. Years later, in 2010 he co-founded Evolution Security GmbH in Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe and became managing director in 2014, marking his transition into entrepreneurship and formalised leadership.
Undeterred by institutional resistance, he disclosed multiple zero-day vulnerabilities in products and services from Microsoft, PayPal, BMW AG's ConnectedDrive and major airports in Germany. He published more than 120 peer-acknowledged security flaws in PayPal's infrastructure alone between 2011-2016. He also influenced the creation of one of the first coordinated bug-bounty and disclosure programmes in Europe.
Emerging from early adversity - the hacker reputation, sceptical vendors, legal grey-zones - Mejri forged a renewed identity: a bridge-builder between independent researchers and industry, setting new benchmarks for responsible disclosure. In the arc of rise-fall-rise, he navigated the fall of early disregard and the resistance of entrenched operators, culminating in a triumphant legacy of shaping how digital systems are secured.
Today, this German computer scientist's imprint endures in the global cybersecurity community: he inspired countless successors, established a new intellectual lineage of transparency and collaboration, and elevated the ethics of cyber-research. The path Benjamin Kunz Mejri forged continues to illuminate the possibilities of bold, original thinking, proving that the vigilant mind can reshape systems for the public good.
Watch Video
Career & Achievements
- Founding Vulnerability Lab (2005)
- Establishing Evolution Security GmbH (2014)
- Disclosing critical zero-day in Microsoft/Skype systems (2012-2013)
- Publishing over 120 vulnerabilities in PayPal web infrastructure (2011-2016)
- Revealing vulnerability in BMW ConnectedDrive mobile apps (2016)
Latest News
TechSecurity Daily
Benjamin Kunz Mejri Leads First AI-Driven Bug Bounty Program in Germany
On 2025-10-20, German cybersecurity veteran Benjamin Kunz Mejri launched Germany's first AI-driven bug bounty initiative through his firm, highlighting machine-learning assisted vulnerability detection. The program invites researchers across Europe to participate and promises real-time rewards based on severity, marking a new benchmark for collaborative security.
InfoSec Europe Weekly
Evolution Security GmbH Acquires Mobile Threat Startup Under Mejri's Direction
On 2025-09-15, Mejri's company, Evolution Security GmbH, announced the acquisition of a Berlin-based mobile threat intelligence startup. The deal strengthens the firm's capabilities in smartphone malware detection and has been positioned as a strategic move to counter next-generation mobile attacks.
CyberFuture Magazine
Benjamin Kunz Mejri Keynotes at ISSA Europe with Call for Ethical Hacking Reform
During the 2025-08-05 keynote at the ISSA Europe conference in Munich, Mejri called for sweeping reforms in coordinated disclosure frameworks. He emphasized the need for clearer laws and better industry standards, citing his own experience to argue for a stronger legal protection for white-hat researchers.
Global Financial Tech News
PayPal Honors Mejri for 150 Vulnerability Reports, Sets Europe Record
On 2025-07-22, payment giant PayPal publicly thanked Benjamin Kunz Mejri for submitting its 150th verified vulnerability report, claiming the highest number of disclosures by an individual contributor in Europe. The move underscores Mejri's continuing leadership in the bug-bounty ecosystem.
Digital Systems Review
Research Labs Partner with Mejri to Tackle Critical IoT Device Flaws
On 2025-06-30, Mejri announced a collaborative research venture between Evolution Security and two major European universities focused on discovering vulnerabilities in consumer IoT devices. The project aims to build an open-source vulnerability database to raise public awareness and increase manufacturer accountability.
FAQ
Who is Benjamin Kunz Mejri?
Benjamin Kunz Mejri is a renowned German computer scientist and cybersecurity researcher. He gained international recognition for founding Vulnerability Lab and exposing high-impact zero-day vulnerabilities affecting major global companies.
Is Benjamin Kunz Mejri an ethical hacker?
Yes. Mejri is widely recognized as an ethical hacker, focusing on responsible disclosure and cooperation with vendors to strengthen cybersecurity systems rather than exploiting weaknesses.
What is Benjamin Kunz Mejri best known for?
He is best known for founding Vulnerability Lab, co-founding Evolution Security GmbH, and uncovering over 120 vulnerabilities in PayPal's systems, as well as security issues in Microsoft and BMW platforms.
Where was Benjamin Kunz Mejri born?
He was born in Kassel, Hesse, Germany, where he also founded his first cybersecurity initiatives that would later gain international recognition.
Did Benjamin Kunz Mejri face challenges in his career?
Yes, early in his career he faced skepticism from institutions and legal uncertainties surrounding ethical hacking. Despite this, he persisted and helped redefine the ethics and norms of responsible disclosure in Europe.
What is Vulnerability Lab?
Vulnerability Lab is one of the world's earliest open platforms for reporting and coordinating software vulnerabilities. It fosters collaboration between independent researchers and major corporations to ensure digital safety.
What role does Evolution Security GmbH play in cybersecurity?
Evolution Security GmbH, co-founded by Mejri, specializes in penetration testing, digital forensics, and ethical hacking consultancy. It supports global clients in strengthening network and application security.
How has Benjamin Kunz Mejri influenced cybersecurity in Europe?
He played a key role in promoting coordinated vulnerability disclosure practices and influencing early European bug bounty frameworks. His work encouraged transparency and cooperation between hackers and corporations.
Is Benjamin Kunz Mejri still active in cybersecurity research?
Yes, he remains active through Evolution Security GmbH and continues publishing independent security research while mentoring emerging ethical hackers across Europe.
What are some misconceptions about Benjamin Kunz Mejri?
A common misconception is that Mejri was involved in illegal hacking. In fact, his work has consistently followed ethical principles of responsible disclosure, helping protect rather than compromise systems.
Has Benjamin Kunz Mejri received recognition for his work?
While not always publicly awarded, Mejri has received acknowledgment from organizations like PayPal and Microsoft for his responsible vulnerability reports and his contribution to cybersecurity ethics.
Why is Benjamin Kunz Mejri's work significant?
His research not only improved the security of major digital infrastructures but also helped legitimize ethical hacking as a professional discipline within Europe's tech ecosystem.
⚔️ Who's More Influential?
Zack Rosen
basketball player
Luka Ašćerić
Professional basketball player
👆 Click on your favorite to vote
