Bug Bounty Blueprint: A Beginner’s Guide

blog.securitybreached.org/2023/08/18/bug-bounty-blueprint-a-beginners-guide/

Introduction to Bug Bounty Hunting

Bug Bounty Hunting is an inspiring field that has gained tremendous momentum in recent times. In simple
terms, a Bug Bounty involves rewarding ethical hackers for identifying and disclosing potential security
vulnerabilities found in a participant’s web, mobile, or system applications. Since you’re already here, I
assume you have a basic understanding of bug bounty hunting. So, let’s dive into the essential elements
as It’s important to understand what bug bounty hunting and ethical hacking really involve.

Bug Bounty Hunting a Challenge

For me, Bug bounty hunting surpasses traditional penetration testing in its intensity and demand, Bug
Bounty Hunting is like penetration testing on steroids. It is a lot harder because of the following factors:

1. Significant Vulnerabilities: Bug bounty programs typically focus on bugs that exhibit genuine
business Impact, setting a higher bar for the kind of vulnerabilities that are accepted.
2. Competition Among Bug Hunters: You will be competing against hundreds of other hunters, and
only the first one to report a bug is rewarded.
3. Novice Difficulties: As a newcomer, the initial stages may be hard, involving the identification of
valid bugs and striving to be the first to uncover them.

With this guide, I will try to cover the following key areas to get you started:

Understanding the fundamentals of Bug Bounty Hunting.

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 Developing the necessary technical skills.
Learning about common vulnerabilities and exploits.
Finding and choosing bug bounty programs.
Writing effective reports to maximize your bounty potential.

Remember, the journey of becoming a successful bug bounty hunter requires dedication, patience, and
continuous learning. Let’s embark on this exciting journey together!

The Attitude of a Hacker

Before going further, it’s crucial to grasp the attitude required for successful bug bounty hunting. A
seminal article by Eric S. Raymond, “How To Become A Hacker,” serves as an excellent starting point.
This article outlines essential attitudes that aspiring hackers need to cultivate, emphasizing the
importance of competence over mere posturing.

Is there a future for you in Bug Bounty?

I’m confident that bug bounty hunting is the way forward when it comes to securing many businesses,
and here’s why:

1. Always Watching: Bug bounty programs keep going as long as the program itself is running.
2. Experts from Everywhere: Bug bounty taps into the knowledge of people from all over the world.
3. Rewards for Digging Deep: There’s a real reason for hackers to find and report vulnerabilities in
bug bounty programs.
4. Safe and Exciting: It’s a safe and fun space to tinker around and learn.

I’m pretty sure that bug bounty hunting isn’t going anywhere; it’s only going to get better and stronger.
The rise of Web3 is already changing how bug bounties work, breaking down barriers have a look below.

Whitehat satya0x reported a critical vulnerability in @wormholecrypto on Feb 24 via Immunefi.

The bug was quickly patched, no user funds were affected, and satya0x received a $10 million
payout from Wormhole, the largest bounty payout on record. https://t.co/xKDGxfFLjA

— Immunefi (@immunefi) May 20, 2022

Not only Web3 but our good old web2 bounties are also getting interesting and big.

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So, whether it’s about traditional web stuff or this new Web3 world, bug bounty hunting is a solid bet for
those who want to put in the effort and come out ahead.

Mastering the Basics!

Before embarking on your bug bounty journey, it’s essential to establish a solid grasp of the foundational
elements that underpin the world of cybersecurity. This section lays the groundwork for your exploration,
ensuring you have the necessary knowledge to navigate the intricate web of networks, systems, and
programming languages.

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To effectively engage in bug bounty hunting and ethical hacking, a firm grasp of the fundamental building
blocks is crucial. Begin your journey by acquainting yourself with the following key concepts:

Understanding Network, Web, and Communication Basics

Network Basics:

Acquire a basic understanding of networking principles, an essential knowledge for anyone delving into
the realm of computers. Explore resources such as

Web:

For an overview of the web, you should give a read to any two of these. These will not only refresh your
web basic fundamentals but also prepare you for what’s coming ahead.

Communication Protocols:
In order to learn something, you must learn how it works and how data is exchanged within or between
computers. In our case how an application works and what its flow is we need to learn how it
communicates with you. For that purpose, I believe you must go through the following list to understand
Network Protocols and their uses.

Database:
You must learn about Database basics and understand it as this is one of the crucial parts of what you’ll
gonna be attacking as a hacker in many cases.

Choose an Operating System:

According to Eric Steven Raymond, “The single most important step any newbie can take toward
acquiring hacker skills is to get a copy of Linux or one of the BSD-Unixes, install it on a personal
machine, and run it. Trying to learn to hack on a Microsoft Windows machine or under any other
closed-source system is like trying to learn to dance while wearing a body cast.“

Whichever OS you choose, ensure to familiarize yourself with essential commands through cheat sheets
like this below:

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http://linuxcommand.org/

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http://linuxcommand.org/

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 https://helpdeskgeek.com/help-desk/21-cmd-commands-all-windows-users-should-know/

Coding Proficiency: The Path to Mastery:

While becoming a proficient programmer might not be mandatory, having a solid understanding of
programming languages is undeniably beneficial in the realm of bug bounty hunting.

I personally suffered for two years in bug bounties because in many cases I couldn’t really understand
what the particular code meant, couldn’t exploit an issue properly, or couldn’t even code in general, and
I’m, still trying my best to catch up to speed so I’ll suggest you guys not to skip these parts.
Strengthen your coding skills with the following languages:

HTML:

PHP:

JavaScript:

SQL (Structured Query Language):

Java:

C/C++

What You’ll learn from these is not just Programming languages but the proper way of web and systems
to communicate that you gonna test or build. I’m also a student in Programming so sharing the resources
I’m currently following.

Embrace Automation:

“Never send a human to do a machine’s job”

To truly excel in the world of bug bounty hunting, mastering automation is essential. Automation
empowers you to work faster, more efficiently, and continuously while reducing repetitive tasks.

Have a look at the slides below and read an awesome article on “Conference notes: Automation for
Bug Hunters (Bug Bounty Talks)“

Strengthen your automation capabilities with these languages, If you can grasp hold on to one or more of
the following languages you can easily & very happily automate your work and earn in a better way.

Python:

Bash:

Golang:

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Ruby:

By mastering these foundational components, you’ll empower yourself to code tools, understand various
software aspects, and embrace the world of automation. Remember, this is your bedrock for growth –
refine your skills, practice consistently, and lay the groundwork for your bug bounty journey.

Learning About Vulnerabilities

This part is all about building your skills, learning about how to identify weaknesses, and arming yourself
with the tools to become a bug bounty hunter. Choosing the right path to start in Bug Bounty is very
important. Your choice should align with your interests and aspirations. While some opt for the Web
Application route due to its approachable nature, others may delve into the realm of Mobile. Here, I’ll be
focusing on Web and Mobile paths, reflecting my own area of expertise.

The Web Application Security Path:

The Web Application path is a popular starting point due to its accessible nature. Begin by understanding
the intricacies of web applications and the vulnerabilities they can harbor. Resources like:

Equip you with the foundational knowledge and insights needed to navigate this domain.

The Mobile Application Security Path:

For those intrigued by the mobile landscape, the Mobile path beckons. Immerse yourself in the world of
mobile application security, uncovering potential vulnerabilities that lurk within. Key resources such as:

Will serve as your guiding beacons, leading you through the intricate mobile security landscape.

Key Resources:
The Platforms below should be your first stop toward learning about security.

These platforms offer a wealth of resources and lectures that can significantly enhance your learning
journey. They provide invaluable insights, often surpassing what I might share here.

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Exploring Web Application Security: Building Your Foundation
In this phase, we’re delving into the exciting world of exploring Web Application Security.

Recommended Books and Guides: Building Your Expertise

To fortify your understanding of Web Application Penetration Testing and Security, delve into the following
essential resources:

These resources offer comprehensive insights into the intricacies of web application penetration testing
and security assessment.

Embrace OWASP:

Make it a priority to familiarize yourself with the OWASP Testing Guide and OWASP Top 10
Vulnerabilities. These invaluable references provide guidance and understanding:

These resources provide a solid foundation for comprehending common vulnerabilities and security
practices.

Exploring Common Web Application Vulnerabilities

This is a crucial phase of your bug bounty journey, where we learn about common web application
vulnerabilities that you’re likely to encounter while hunting for bugs. In this section, my focus is on
providing you with valuable resources to understand and learn about these vulnerabilities effectively.

Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)

Cross-Site Request Forgery is a potent attack that exploits the trust a web application has in the
authenticated user’s browser. By coercing the user into unknowingly performing actions they didn’t intend,
the attacker can manipulate the application’s functionalities and wreak havoc.

Delve Deeper with These Resources

Uncover Real-World Scenarios:

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

Cross-Site Scripting, commonly known as XSS, empowers malicious actors to inject client-side scripts
into web pages, potentially compromising the security of other users who view those pages. These scripts
can execute in a victim’s browser, leading to unauthorized actions, data theft, or the spread of malware.

Resources for Deepening Your Knowledge:

Practical Examples and Proof of Concepts:

SQL Injection

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SQL injection is a common attack vector that uses malicious SQL code for backend database
manipulation to access information that was not intended to be displayed.

Resources for Deepening Your Knowledge:

For a comprehensive grasp of SQL Injection, these resources are your go-to:

Real-Life Scenarios: Proof of Concepts

Remote Code Execution (RCE)

Remote Code Execution (RCE) is a formidable technique that grants attackers the power to execute their
own code on a victim’s system. Imagine the potential havoc if a malevolent actor gains control over a
machine, enabling them to manipulate it at will.

Resources for Deepening Your Knowledge:

To truly comprehend and master RCE, these references will serve as your compass:

Practical Examples and Proof of Concepts:

Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR)

In IDOR an application provides direct access to objects based on the user-supplied input. As a result of
this vulnerability, attackers can bypass authorization and access resources in the system directly.

Guiding Lights: References for Clarity

Embark on a journey to understand and combat IDOR with these invaluable references:

Real-World Glimpses: Proof of Concepts

Dive into real-world demonstrations of IDOR’s potential impact:

HTTP Request Smuggling

HTTP request smuggling is a technique for interfering with the way a web site processes sequences of
HTTP requests that are received from one or more users. Request smuggling vulnerabilities are often
critical in nature, allowing an attacker to bypass security controls, gain unauthorized access to sensitive
data, and directly compromise other application users.

Resources for Deepening Your Knowledge:

For a comprehensive grasp of Request Smuggling these resources are your go-to:

Real-Life Scenarios: Proof of Concepts

HTTP Request Smuggling on api.flocktory.com Leads to XSS on Customer Sites

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Web Cache Deception

Web Cache Deception (WCD) is an attack in which an attacker deceives a caching proxy into improperly
storing private information sent over the internet and gaining unauthorized access to that cached data. It
was proposed by Omer Gil, a security researcher in 2017.

Resources for Deepening Your Knowledge:

For a comprehensive grasp of WCD these resources are your go-to:

Web Cache Deception

Path confusion: Web cache deception threatens user information online
What is Web Cache Deception?
Cache Poisoning and Cache Deception

Real-Life Scenarios: Proof of Concepts

ChatGPT Account Takeover – Nagli

How I Made $16,500 Hacking CDN Caching Servers — Part 1 by bombon
Web Cache Deception Attack on a private bug bounty program by Snoopy
Web Cache Deception Attack leads to user info disclosure by Kunal pandey

Unrestricted File Upload

As in the name unrestricted file upload allows user to upload malicious file to a system to further exploit to
for Code execution. Think of Unrestricted File Upload as an unlocked gate allowing unauthorized files to
infiltrate an application. This vulnerability lays the foundation for attackers to upload and manipulate files,
potentially gaining unauthorized control over a system.

Illuminating Your Path: References for Understanding

Navigate this vulnerability’s landscape with the help of these guiding references:

Netsparker: Unrestricted File Upload Vulnerability

OWASP: Unrestricted File Upload
Hacking Articles: 5 Ways File Upload Vulnerability Exploitation

Journey into the Wild: Real-world Examples

File Upload XSS in image uploading of App in mopub by vijay kumar

File Upload XSS in image uploading of App in mopub in Twitter by vijay kumar (vijay_kumar1110)
Unrestricted File Upload to RCE by Muhammad Khizer Javed

XML External Entity Attack (XXE)

XXE is an attack against an application that parses XML input. This attack occurs when XML input
containing a reference to an external entity is processed by a weakly configured XML parser.

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Guiding Light: Resources for XXE

Embark on your journey of understanding XXE attacks with these guiding references:

PortSwigger: XXE
OWASP: XML External Entity (XXE) Prevention Cheat Sheet
InfoSec by Phonexicum: Demystifying XXE

Real-world Examples:

XXE through SAML

XXE in Uber to read local files
XXE by SVG in community.lithium.com
How we got read access on Google’s production servers by detectify
Blind OOB XXE At UBER 26+ Domains Hacked by Raghav Bisht

Local File Inclusion (LFI)

The File Inclusion vulnerability allows an attacker to include a file, usually exploiting a “dynamic file
inclusion” mechanisms implemented in the target application. The vulnerability occurs due to the use of
user-supplied input without proper validation.

Guiding Light: Resources for LFI

Navigate the LFI terrain armed with these guiding references:

OWASP: Testing for Local File Inclusion

Netsparker: Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Medium: Local File Inclusion Web Application Penetration Testing

Real-world Examples:

SSRF to LFI
Disclosure Local File Inclusion by Symlink
Facebook Symlink Local File Inclusion
Gitlab Symlink Local File Inclusion
Gitlab Symlink Local File Inclusion Part II
One Cloud-based Local File Inclusion = Many Companies affected
LFI by video conversion, excited about this trick!

Subdomain Takeover

A subdomain takeover occurs when an attacker gains control over a subdomain of a target domain.
Typically, this happens when the subdomain has a canonical name (CNAME) in the Domain Name
System (DNS), but no host is providing content for it.

Guiding Lights: Sources of Wisdom

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Navigate the intricate landscape of Subdomain Takeover armed with these enlightening references:

Security Breached: Unveiling the Subdomain Takeover Vulnerability

Subdomain Takeover Basics: Insights from 0xpatrik
Can I Take Over .xyz? Exploring Subdomain Takeover with EdOverflow

Real-world Examples:

Hijacking tons of Instapage expired users Domains & Subdomains by geekboy

Reading Emails in Uber Subdomains
Slack Bug Journey – by David Vieira-Kurz
Subdomain takeover and chain it to perform authentication bypass by Arne Swinnen
UBER Wildcard Subdomain Takeover by Muhammad Khizer Javed
Lamborghini Subdomain Takeover Through Expired Cloudfront Distribution by Muhammad Khizer
Javed
Subdomain Takeover via Unsecured S3 Bucket Connected to the Website by Muhammad khizer
Javed

Server Side Request Forgery (SSRF)

Server-side request forgery (also known as SSRF) is a web security vulnerability that allows an attacker
to induce the server-side application to make requests to an unintended location. In a typical SSRF
attack, the attacker might cause the server to make a connection to internal-only services within the
organization’s infrastructure. In other cases, they may be able to force the server to connect to arbitrary
external systems, potentially leaking sensitive data such as authorization credentials.

Guiding Beacons: Resources for SSRF

Learn from these SSRF with these guiding references:

SSRF: Types and Ways to Exploit It – Part 1

OWASP’s Guide to Server Side Request Forgery
Deciphering the SSRF Vulnerability
Unmasking the Veil: What is Server Side Request Forgery (SSRF)?

Casting Light: Real-world Examples

Peer through the shadows with these real-world Examples of SSRF’s potent capabilities:

SSRF to pivot internal network

SSRF to LFI
SSRF to query google internal server
SSRF tips from BugBountyHQ of Images
SSRF to RCE
XXE at Twitter
Blog post: Cracking the Lens: Targeting HTTP’s Hidden Attack-Surface

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Deserialization
Java Deserialization in manager.paypal.com by Michael Stepankin
Instagram’s Million Dollar Bug by Wesley Wineberg
(Ruby Cookie Deserialization RCE on facebooksearch.algolia.com by Michiel Prins (michiel)
Java deserialization by meals

Race Condition:
Race conditions on Facebook, DigitalOcean and others (fixed) by Josip Franjković
Race Conditions in Popular reports feature in HackerOne by Fábio Pires (shmoo)

Business Logic Flaws:

How I Could Steal Money from Instagram, Google and Microsoft by Arne Swinnen
How I could have removed all your Facebook notes
Uber Ride for Free by anand praka
Uber Eat for Free by

Authentication Bypass:
OneLogin authentication bypass on WordPress sites via XMLRPC in Uber by Jouko Pynnönen
(jouko)
2FA PayPal Bypass by henryhoggard
SAML Bug in Github worth 15000
Authentication bypass on Airbnb via OAuth tokens theft
Uber Login CSRF + Open Redirect -> Account Takeover at Uber
[http://c0rni3sm.blogspot.hk/2017/08/accidentally-typo-to-bypass.html?m=1](Administrative Panel
Access) by c0rni3sm
Uber Bug Bounty: Gaining Access To An Internal Chat System by mishre
User Account Takeover via Signup by Muhammad Khizer Javed

HTTP Header Injection:

Adblock Plus and (a little) more in Google
$10k host header by Ezequiel Pereira

Email Related:
Slack Yammer Takeover by using TicketTrick by Inti De Ceukelaire
How I could have mass uploaded from every Flickr account!

Information Disclosure

Hacking SMS API Service Provider of a Company |Android App Static Security Analysis By
Muhammad Khizer Javed
Vine User Private information disclosure

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 The feature works as intended, but what’s in the source? By zseano

Some other real world examples:

Payment Flaw in Yahoo

Bypassing Google Email Domain Check to Deliver Spam Email on Google’s Behalf
When Server Side Request Forgery combine with Cross Site Scripting
A list of FB writeup collected by phwd by phwd
NoSQL Injection by websecurify
CORS in action
CORS in Fb messenger
Web App Methodologies
The road to hell is paved with SAML Assertions, Microsoft Vulnerability
Study this if you like to learn Mongo SQL Injection by cirw
Mongo DB Injection again by websecrify
w3af speech about modern vulnerability by w3af
Web cache attack that lead to account takeover
A talk to teach you how to use SAML Raider
XSS Checklist when you have no idea how to exploit the bug
CTF write up, Great for Bug Bounty
It turns out every site uses jquery mobile with Open Redirect is vulnerable to XSS by sirdarckcat
Bypass CSP by using google-analytics
Payment Issue with Paypal
Browser Exploitation in Chinese
XSS bypass filter
Markup Impropose Sanitization
Breaking XSS mitigations via Script Gadget
X41 Browser Security White Paper
Improper Input Validation | Add Custom Text and URLs In SMS send by Snapchat By Muhammad
Khizer Javed
Exploiting Insecure Firebase Database! By Muhammad Khizer Javed
Using Inspect Element to Bypass Security restrictions By Muhammad Khizer Javed

Cloud Security Resources:

As bug bounty hunting evolves, so does the landscape of potential vulnerabilities. With the rapid adoption
of cloud technologies, understanding cloud security is becoming increasingly important for bug bounty
hunters. Cloud platforms introduce unique attack surfaces and potential weaknesses that skilled hunters
can exploit. Here are some valuable resources to help you navigate the world of cloud security and
enhance your bug bounty capabilities:

Cloud Fundamentals and Introduction

Introduction to Cloud Security
SANS – Penetration Testing in the Cloud

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AWS Penetration Testing

AWS Official Guide for Permissions and Penetration Testing

Penetration Testing AWS Services
Rhinosecuritylabs AWS Resources – A comprehensive collection covering S3 bucket vulnerabilities,
IAM, AWS privilege escalation, and more.
Cloud Shadow Admin Threat & Permissions – CyberArk

Azure Penetration Testing

An Introduction to Pen Testing Azure

Write-ups
Abusing AWS Metadata Service using SSRF Vulnerabilities
HackerOne Report: SSRF Exploitation on AWS

List Of Some Common Vulnerabilities:

These are some common issues you should understand and learn more about. Here’s a list of attack
topics you should explore by reading blogs and reports:

SQL Injection Attack

Hibernate Query Language Injection
Direct OS Code Injection
XML Entity Injection
Broken Authentication and Session Management
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Insecure Direct Object References
Missing Function Level Access Control
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
Using Components with Known Vulnerabilities
Unvalidated Redirects and Forwards
ClickJacking Attacks
DNS Cache Poisoning
Symlinking
Remote Code Execution Attacks
Remote File inclusion
Local file inclusion
Denial oF Service Attack
PHPwn
NAT Pinning
XSHM
HTTP Parameter Pollution
Tabnabbing

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 LDAP injection
Log Injection
Path Traversal
Reflected DOM Injection
Repudiation Attack
Resource Injection
Server-Side Includes (SSI) Injection
Session fixation
Session hijacking attack
Session Prediction
Setting Manipulation
Special Element Injection
SMTP injection
Traffic flood
XPATH Injection

For more detailed information and examples, you can explore additional write-ups at Pentester.land
Writeups & Awesome Bug Bounty. These will help you gain a better understanding of these concepts and
how they can be exploited.

Exploring Mobile Application Security: Building Your Foundation

In this phase, we’re delving into the exciting world of exploring Mobile Application Security.

Here’s a Great “Android Application Penetration Testing Checklist” that you should definitely check
out.

Recommended Books and Guides: Building Your Expertise

To fortify your understanding of Mobile Application Penetration Testing and Security, delve into the
following essential resources:

OWASP Mobile Application Security

Mobile Application Penetration Testing By Vijay Kumar Velu
Mobile Application Penetration Testing Learn Mobile Application Hacking for iOS and Android
Devices
Mobile Application Penetration Testing Professional Learning Paths INE
Android App Reverse Engineering 101
Mobile Systems and Smartphone Security

These resources offer comprehensive insights into the intricacies of mobile application penetration testing
and security assessment.

Embrace OWASP:

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Make it a priority to familiarize yourself with the OWASP Testing Guide and OWASP Top 10
Vulnerabilities. These invaluable references provide guidance and understanding:

OWASP Mobile Application Security Testing Guide (MASTG)

OWASP Mobile Top 10

These resources provide a solid foundation for comprehending common vulnerabilities and security
practices.

Exploring Common Mobile Application Vulnerabilities

This is a crucial phase of your bug bounty journey, where we learn about common mobile application
vulnerabilities that you’re likely to encounter while hunting for bugs. In this section, my focus is on
providing you with valuable resources to understand and learn about these vulnerabilities effectively.

Hardcoded Credentials:

Developers sometimes embed sensitive credentials in the app’s code, risking the exposure of private API
keys and secrets.

Real-Life Scenarios: Proof of Concepts

Disclosure of all uploads to Cloudinary via hardcoded api secret in Android app
Hard-Coded credentials in the Android app

WebView Vulnerabilities:
Security risks associated with improper configuration or usage of WebView, enabling attackers to execute
malicious code within the app.

Real-Life Scenarios: Proof of Concepts

Android security checklist: WebView

Vulnerabilities in exported activity WebView
com.basecamp.bc3 Webview Javascript Injection and JS bridge takeover

Insecure Deeplinks

Real-Life Scenarios: Proof of Concepts

Account takeover intercepting magic link for Arrive app

[Grab Android/iOS] Insecure deeplink leads to sensitive information disclosure
[Zomato Order] Insecure deeplink leads to sensitive information disclosure

Remote Code Execution (RCE) / Arbitrary Code Execution (ACE)

Insecure loading of dynamic code allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands, potentially leading to
unauthorized access or control of the app.

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 RCE in TinyCards for Android Report on HackerOne
Why dynamic code loading could be dangerous for your apps: a Google example. Reference:
Oversecured Blog
Persistent Arbitrary Code Execution HackerOne Report, CVE-2020-8913
TikTok Vulnerabilities Reference

Memory Corruption:
Exploiting memory vulnerabilities to manipulate app behavior or inject malicious code, potentially
compromising user data.

Exploiting memory corruption vulnerabilities on Android.

Cryptography in Mobile Apps:

Mistakes in implementing cryptographic techniques may expose sensitive data, jeopardizing user privacy.

Use cryptography in mobile apps the right way.

SQL Injection:
Lack of input validation in SQL queries can lead to injection attacks, enabling attackers to manipulate the
app’s database.

SQL Injection found in NextCloud Android App Content Provider

Session Theft:
Attacks that target user sessions, potentially allowing unauthorized access to user accounts.

[Zomato Android/iOS] Theft of user session.

File Theft and Manipulation:

Weaknesses in handling files may enable attackers to steal or manipulate sensitive user data.

Android security checklist: Theft of arbitrary files.

Insecure WebResourceResponse Configurations:

Misconfigurations in WebResourceResponse may expose apps to attacks that manipulate responses and
compromise user security.

Android: Exploring vulnerabilities in WebResourceResponse

Vulnerable to Local File Steal, JavaScript Injection, Open Redirect:

Apps may be vulnerable to a combination of attacks including local file theft, JavaScript injection, and
open redirects.

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 Twitter lite(Android): Vulnerable to local file steal, Javascript injection, Open redirect

Token Leakage Due to Stolen Files:

Stolen tokens from insecure storage may lead to unauthorized access to user accounts.

[IRCCloud Android] Theft of arbitrary files leading to token leakage Share

Bypasses:
Methods that allow attackers to bypass security mechanisms, potentially gaining unauthorized access to
the app.

Accidental $70k Google Pixel Lock Screen Bypass. Reference

Golden Techniques to Bypass Host Validations

Two-factor authentication bypass on Grab Android App

Extremly simple way to bypass Nextcloud-Client PIN/Fingerprint lock

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS):

Injection of malicious scripts into web content, leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.

[Android] HTML Injection in BatterySaveArticleRenderer WebView

Privilege Escalation:
Discovering vulnerabilities that allow attackers to elevate their privileges, potentially gaining unauthorized
access to sensitive app functionalities.

Discovering vendor-specific vulnerabilities in Android.

Intent Spoofing:

Manipulating app intents to perform unauthorized actions or access restricted components.

Reference: Report on HackerOne

Access of Not Exported Content Providers:

Gaining unauthorized access to content providers that are not properly exported, potentially exposing
sensitive data.

Multiple critical vulnerabilities in Odnoklassniki Android application

Access Protected Components via Intent:

Exploiting intents to access protected app components without proper authorization.

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 Access of Android protected components via embedded intent
Fragment Injection

Javascript Injection:

Injection of malicious JavaScript code into app components, enabling attackers to manipulate app
behavior.

Vulnerable to JavaScript injection. (WXS) (Javascript injection)!

Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF):

Tricking users into performing unintended actions, potentially compromising their accounts or data.

Periscope android app deeplink leads to CSRF in follow action.

Case Sensitive Account Collisions:

Exploiting case sensitivity in account identifiers to perform unauthorized actions or account takeovers.

Vine – overwrite account associated with email via android application.

Intercept Broadcasts:

Intercepting broadcasts to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or execute actions.

Possible to intercept broadcasts about file uploads.

Vulnerable Exported Broadcast Receiver
View Every Network Request Response’s Information

Stay updated with HackerOne Public Bug reports by regularly following HackerOne Public Reports,
where you can learn a lot from real-world bug reports.

Blogs & YouTube Channels Worth Following!

Blogs and YouTube channels created by seasoned hackers and security enthusiasts serve as invaluable
resources for those seeking to delve deeper into the world of vulnerabilities, exploits, and defensive
techniques. By following these trusted sources, you gain access to real-world examples, detailed
breakdowns of attack vectors, and practical demonstrations. In this section, we’ve curated a list of
recommended blogs and YouTube channels that provide a wealth of knowledge, enabling you to enhance
your skill set and stay ahead in the dynamic field of bug bounty hunting.

Blogs:

IT Security Guard
Brute Logic
Klikki

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 Philippe Harewood
Sean Melia
Respect XSS
Graceful Security
Jack Whitton
Tisiphone
Nahamsec
Bitquark
Arne Swinnen
Bug Bounty POC
Arbaz Hussain
Shawar Khan
Detectify Blog
Security Wall
HackerOne Blog
SecurityTube
Hack Asia
Mukarram Khalid
Jubaer Alnazi White Hat
Hackaday
Packet Storm Security
Black Hat
Metasploit
SecTools
Detectify Labs
Security Idiots
HackerNoon
SQLi Basic
Vulnerability Lab
KnowOnix
Coding Karma
remonsec

YouTube Channels:

security idiots
Black Hat
Hisham Mir
Muhammad Khizer Javed
Frans Rosén
HackerOne
josue Fernandez
Bugcrowd
intigriti

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 Web Development Tutorials
Jan Wikholm
Penetration Testing in Linux
Farah Hawa
LiveOverflow
The Cyber Mentor
David Bombal
Bug Bounty Reports Explained
PhD Security
NahamSec
NetworkChuck
STÖK
remonsec

Groups to Join!

You can also join Slack & Discord communities for hackers to connect, share insights, and learn from
fellow bug bounty hunters:

1. BugBounty World
2. BugBounty Forum
3. SecurityNewbs
4. BugCrowd Discord
5. Hacker101 Discord

These resources, blogs, and YouTube channels are excellent ways to expand your knowledge and stay
informed about the latest trends, techniques, and experiences in the world of bug bounty hunting and
cybersecurity.

Bug Bounty Tools & Scripts: Your Arsenal for Successful Hunting

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Bug Bounty Hunting is a career that is known for the heavy use of security tools. These tools help us find
vulnerabilities in software, web, and mobile applications and are an integral part of bounty hunting. Below
is a list of security tools for bug bounty hunters.

Tools you should definitely know about:

BurpSuite: Burp Suite is a software security application used for penetration testing of web
applications.
ZAP: OWASP ZAP is an open-source web application security scanner.
Caido: A lightweight web security auditing toolkit.

Below is an awesome list by Kamil Vavra. I would love it if you could go and give this repository a star.

Recon

Subdomain Enumeration

Sublist3r – Fast subdomains enumeration tool for penetration testers

Amass – In-depth Attack Surface Mapping and Asset Discovery
massdns – A high-performance DNS stub resolver for bulk lookups and reconnaissance
(subdomain enumeration)
Findomain – The fastest and cross-platform subdomain enumerator, do not waste your time.
Sudomy – Sudomy is a subdomain enumeration tool to collect subdomains and analyzing domains
performing automated reconnaissance (recon) for bug hunting / pentesting
chaos-client – Go client to communicate with Chaos DNS API.
domained – Multi Tool Subdomain Enumeration
bugcrowd-levelup-subdomain-enumeration – This repository contains all the material from the talk
“Esoteric sub-domain enumeration techniques” given at Bugcrowd LevelUp 2017 virtual conference
shuffledns – shuffleDNS is a wrapper around massdns written in go that allows you to enumerate
valid subdomains using active bruteforce as well as resolve subdomains with wildcard handling and
easy input-output…
censys-subdomain-finder – Perform subdomain enumeration using the certificate transparency logs
from Censys.
Turbolist3r – Subdomain enumeration tool with analysis features for discovered domains
censys-enumeration – A script to extract subdomains/emails for a given domain using SSL/TLS
certificate dataset on Censys
tugarecon – Fast subdomains enumeration tool for penetration testers.
as3nt – Another Subdomain ENumeration Tool
Subra – A Web-UI for subdomain enumeration (subfinder)
Substr3am – Passive reconnaissance/enumeration of interesting targets by watching for SSL
certificates being issued
domain – enumall.py Setup script for Regon-ng
altdns – Generates permutations, alterations and mutations of subdomains and then resolves them
brutesubs – An automation framework for running multiple open sourced subdomain bruteforcing
tools (in parallel) using your own wordlists via Docker Compose

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 dns-parallel-prober – his is a parallelised domain name prober to find as many subdomains of a
given domain as fast as possible.
dnscan – dnscan is a python wordlist-based DNS subdomain scanner.
knock – Knockpy is a python tool designed to enumerate subdomains on a target domain through a
wordlist.
hakrevdns – Small, fast tool for performing reverse DNS lookups en masse.
dnsx – Dnsx is a fast and multi-purpose DNS toolkit allow to run multiple DNS queries of your
choice with a list of user-supplied resolvers.
subfinder – Subfinder is a subdomain discovery tool that discovers valid subdomains for websites.
assetfinder – Find domains and subdomains related to a given domain
crtndstry – Yet another subdomain finder
VHostScan – A virtual host scanner that performs reverse lookups
scilla – Information Gathering tool – DNS / Subdomains / Ports / Directories enumeration
sub3suite – A research-grade suite of tools for subdomain enumeration, intelligence gathering and
attack surface mapping.
cero – Scrape domain names from SSL certificates of arbitrary hosts

Port Scanning
masscan – TCP port scanner, spews SYN packets asynchronously, scanning entire Internet in
under 5 minutes.
RustScan – The Modern Port Scanner
naabu – A fast port scanner written in go with focus on reliability and simplicity.
nmap – Nmap – the Network Mapper. Github mirror of official SVN repository.
sandmap – Nmap on steroids. Simple CLI with the ability to run pure Nmap engine, 31 modules with
459 scan profiles.
ScanCannon – Combines the speed of masscan with the reliability and detailed enumeration of
nmap

Screenshots
EyeWitness – EyeWitness is designed to take screenshots of websites, provide some server
header info, and identify default credentials if possible.
aquatone – Aquatone is a tool for visual inspection of websites across a large amount of hosts and
is convenient for quickly gaining an overview of HTTP-based attack surface.
screenshoteer – Make website screenshots and mobile emulations from the command line.
gowitness – gowitness – a golang, web screenshot utility using Chrome Headless
WitnessMe – Web Inventory tool, takes screenshots of webpages using Pyppeteer (headless
Chrome/Chromium) and provides some extra bells & whistles to make life easier.
eyeballer – Convolutional neural network for analyzing pentest screenshots
scrying – A tool for collecting RDP, web and VNC screenshots all in one place
Depix – Recovers passwords from pixelized screenshots
httpscreenshot – HTTPScreenshot is a tool for grabbing screenshots and HTML of large numbers of
websites.

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Technologies

wappalyzer – Identify technology on websites.

webanalyze – Port of Wappalyzer (uncovers technologies used on websites) to automate mass
scanning.
python-builtwith – BuiltWith API client
whatweb – Next generation web scanner
retire.js – scanner detecting the use of JavaScript libraries with known vulnerabilities
httpx – httpx is a fast and multi-purpose HTTP toolkit allows to run multiple probers using
retryablehttp library, it is designed to maintain the result reliability with increased threads.
fingerprintx – fingerprintx is a standalone utility for service discovery on open ports that works well
with other popular bug bounty command line tools.

Content Discovery

Links

Parameters

Fuzzing

Cloud Security Tools

Exploitation
List of tools that will be helpful during exploitation.

Command Injection

commix – Automated All-in-One OS command injection and exploitation tool.

CORS Misconfiguration

CRLF Injection

CSRF Injection

XSRFProbe -The Prime Cross Site Request Forgery (CSRF) Audit and Exploitation Toolkit.

Directory Traversal

File Inclusion

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GraphQL Injection

Header Injection
headi – Customisable and automated HTTP header injection.

Insecure Deserialization

Insecure Direct Object References

Autorize – Automatic authorization enforcement detection extension for burp suite written in Jython
developed by Barak Tawily

Open Redirect

Race Condition

Request Smuggling

Server Side Request Forgery

SQL Injection

XSS Injection

XSStrike – Most advanced XSS scanner.

xssor2 – XSS’OR – Hack with JavaScript.
xsscrapy – XSS spider – 66/66 wavsep XSS detected
sleepy-puppy – Sleepy Puppy XSS Payload Management Framework
ezXSS – ezXSS is an easy way for penetration testers and bug bounty hunters to test (blind) Cross
Site Scripting.
xsshunter – The XSS Hunter service – a portable version of XSSHunter.com
dalfox – DalFox(Finder Of XSS) / Parameter Analysis and XSS Scanning tool based on golang
xsser – Cross Site “Scripter” (aka XSSer) is an automatic -framework- to detect, exploit and report
XSS vulnerabilities in web-based applications.
XSpear – Powerfull XSS Scanning and Parameter analysis tool&gem
weaponised-XSS-payloads – XSS payloads designed to turn alert(1) into P1
tracy – A tool designed to assist with finding all sinks and sources of a web application and display
these results in a digestible manner.
ground-control – A collection of scripts that run on my web server. Mainly for debugging SSRF, blind
XSS, and XXE vulnerabilities.
xssValidator – This is a burp intruder extender that is designed for automation and validation of XSS
vulnerabilities.
JSShell – An interactive multi-user web JS shell

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 bXSS – bXSS is a utility which can be used by bug hunters and organizations to identify Blind
Cross-Site Scripting.
docem – Uility to embed XXE and XSS payloads in docx,odt,pptx,etc (OXML_XEE on steroids)
XSS-Radar – XSS Radar is a tool that detects parameters and fuzzes them for cross-site scripting
vulnerabilities.
BruteXSS – BruteXSS is a tool written in python simply to find XSS vulnerabilities in web
application.
findom-xss – A fast DOM based XSS vulnerability scanner with simplicity.
domdig – DOM XSS scanner for Single Page Applications
femida – Automated blind-xss search for Burp Suite
B-XSSRF – Toolkit to detect and keep track on Blind XSS, XXE & SSRF
domxssscanner – DOMXSS Scanner is an online tool to scan source code for DOM based XSS
vulnerabilities
xsshunter_client – Correlated injection proxy tool for XSS Hunter
extended-xss-search – A better version of my xssfinder tool – scans for different types of xss on a
list of urls.
XSSCon – XSSCon: Simple XSS Scanner tool
BitBlinder – BurpSuite extension to inject custom cross-site scripting payloads on every
form/request submitted to detect blind XSS vulnerabilities
XSSOauthPersistence – Maintaining account persistence via XSS and Oauth
shadow-workers – Shadow Workers is a free and open source C2 and proxy designed for
penetration testers to help in the exploitation of XSS and malicious Service Workers (SW)
rexsser – This is a burp plugin that extracts keywords from response using regexes and test for
reflected XSS on the target scope.
vaya-ciego-nen – Detect, manage and exploit Blind Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities.
dom-based-xss-finder – Chrome extension that finds DOM based XSS vulnerabilities
xss2png – PNG IDAT chunks XSS payload generator
XSSwagger – A simple Swagger-ui scanner that can detect old versions vulnerable to various XSS
attacks

XXE Injection

Miscellaneous

Passwords

Secrets

git-secrets – Prevents you from committing secrets and credentials into git repositories
gitleaks – Scan git repos (or files) for secrets using regex and entropy
truffleHog – Searches through git repositories for high entropy strings and secrets, digging deep into
commit history

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 gitGraber – gitGraber: monitor GitHub to search and find sensitive data in real time for different
online services
talisman – By hooking into the pre-push hook provided by Git, Talisman validates the outgoing
changeset for things that look suspicious – such as authorization tokens and private keys.
GitGot – Semi-automated, feedback-driven tool to rapidly search through troves of public data on
GitHub for sensitive secrets.
git-all-secrets – A tool to capture all the git secrets by leveraging multiple open source git searching
tools
github-search – Tools to perform basic search on GitHub.
git-vuln-finder – Finding potential software vulnerabilities from git commit messages
commit-stream – #OSINT tool for finding Github repositories by extracting commit logs in real time
from the Github event API
gitrob – Reconnaissance tool for GitHub organizations
repo-supervisor – Scan your code for security misconfiguration, search for passwords and secrets.
GitMiner – Tool for advanced mining for content on Github
shhgit – Ah shhgit! Find GitHub secrets in real time
detect-secrets – An enterprise friendly way of detecting and preventing secrets in code.
rusty-hog – A suite of secret scanners built in Rust for performance. Based on TruffleHog
whispers – Identify hardcoded secrets and dangerous behaviours
yar – Yar is a tool for plunderin’ organizations, users and/or repositories.
dufflebag – Search exposed EBS volumes for secrets
secret-bridge – Monitors Github for leaked secrets
earlybird – EarlyBird is a sensitive data detection tool capable of scanning source code repositories
for clear text password violations, PII, outdated cryptography methods, key files and more.
Trufflehog-Chrome-Extension – Trufflehog-Chrome-Extension
noseyparker – Nosey Parker is a command-line program that finds secrets and sensitive
information in textual data and Git history.

Git

Buckets

S3Scanner – Scan for open AWS S3 buckets and dump the contents
AWSBucketDump – Security Tool to Look For Interesting Files in S3 Buckets
CloudScraper – CloudScraper: Tool to enumerate targets in search of cloud resources. S3 Buckets,
Azure Blobs, Digital Ocean Storage Space.
s3viewer – Publicly Open Amazon AWS S3 Bucket Viewer
festin – FestIn – S3 Bucket Weakness Discovery
s3reverse – The format of various s3 buckets is convert in one format. for bugbounty and security
testing.
mass-s3-bucket-tester – This tests a list of s3 buckets to see if they have dir listings enabled or if
they are uploadable
S3BucketList – Firefox plugin that lists Amazon S3 Buckets found in requests
dirlstr – Finds Directory Listings or open S3 buckets from a list of URLs

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 Burp-AnonymousCloud – Burp extension that performs a passive scan to identify cloud buckets and
then test them for publicly accessible vulnerabilities
kicks3 – S3 bucket finder from html,js and bucket misconfiguration testing tool
2tearsinabucket – Enumerate s3 buckets for a specific target.
s3_objects_check – Whitebox evaluation of effective S3 object permissions, to identify publicly
accessible files.
s3tk – A security toolkit for Amazon S3
CloudBrute – Awesome cloud enumerator
s3cario – This tool will get the CNAME first if it’s a valid Amazon s3 bucket and if it’s not, it will try to
check if the domain is a bucket name.
S3Cruze – All-in-one AWS S3 bucket tool for pentesters.

CMS

JSON Web Token

postMessage

Subdomain Takeover

subjack – Subdomain Takeover tool written in Go

SubOver – A Powerful Subdomain Takeover Tool
autoSubTakeover – A tool used to check if a CNAME resolves to the scope address. If the CNAME
resolves to a non-scope address it might be worth checking out if subdomain takeover is possible.
NSBrute – Python utility to takeover domains vulnerable to AWS NS Takeover
can-i-take-over-xyz – “Can I take over XYZ?” — a list of services and how to claim (sub)domains
with dangling DNS records.
cnames – take a list of resolved subdomains and output any corresponding CNAMES en masse.
subHijack – Hijacking forgotten & misconfigured subdomains
tko-subs – A tool that can help detect and takeover subdomains with dead DNS records
HostileSubBruteforcer – This app will bruteforce for exisiting subdomains and provide information if
the 3rd party host has been properly setup.
second-order – Second-order subdomain takeover scanner
takeover – A tool for testing subdomain takeover possibilities at a mass scale.
dnsReaper – DNS Reaper is yet another sub-domain takeover tool, but with an emphasis on
accuracy, speed and the number of signatures in our arsenal!

Vulnerability Scanners
nuclei – Nuclei is a fast tool for configurable targeted scanning based on templates offering massive
extensibility and ease of use.
Sn1per – Automated pentest framework for offensive security experts
metasploit-framework – Metasploit Framework
nikto – Nikto web server scanner

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 arachni – Web Application Security Scanner Framework
jaeles – The Swiss Army knife for automated Web Application Testing
retire.js – scanner detecting the use of JavaScript libraries with known vulnerabilities
Osmedeus – Fully automated offensive security framework for reconnaissance and vulnerability
scanning
getsploit – Command line utility for searching and downloading exploits
flan – A pretty sweet vulnerability scanner
Findsploit – Find exploits in local and online databases instantly
BlackWidow – A Python based web application scanner to gather OSINT and fuzz for OWASP
vulnerabilities on a target website.
backslash-powered-scanner – Finds unknown classes of injection vulnerabilities
Eagle – Multithreaded Plugin based vulnerability scanner for mass detection of web-based
applications vulnerabilities
cariddi – Take a list of domains, crawl urls and scan for endpoints, secrets, api keys, file extensions,
tokens and more…
OWASP ZAP – World’s most popular free web security tools and is actively maintained by a
dedicated international team of volunteers
SSTImap – SSTImap is a penetration testing software that can check websites for Code Injection
and Server-Side Template Injection vulnerabilities and exploit them, giving access to the operating
system itself.

Uncategorized

JSONBee – A ready to use JSONP endpoints/payloads to help bypass content security policy
(CSP) of different websites.
CyberChef – The Cyber Swiss Army Knife – a web app for encryption, encoding, compression and
data analysis
–
bountyplz – Automated security reporting from markdown templates (HackerOne and Bugcrowd are
currently the platforms supported)
PayloadsAllTheThings – A list of useful payloads and bypass for Web Application Security and
Pentest/CTF
bounty-targets-data – This repo contains hourly-updated data dumps of bug bounty platform scopes
(like Hackerone/Bugcrowd/Intigriti/etc) that are eligible for reports
android-security-awesome – A collection of android security related resources
awesome-mobile-security – An effort to build a single place for all useful android and iOS security
related stuff.
awesome-vulnerable-apps – Awesome Vulnerable Applications
XFFenum – X-Forwarded-For [403 forbidden] enumeration
httpx – httpx is a fast and multi-purpose HTTP toolkit allow to run multiple probers using
retryablehttp library, it is designed to maintain the result reliability with increased threads.
csprecon – Discover new target domains using Content Security Policy

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Continual Learning and Practice
Bug bounty hunting requires continual learning and practice. As you progress, you’ll find each bug bounty
program has its unique challenges and rewards. Learn from your experiences and always strive to
improve your skills.

As you start your journey to become a bug bounty hunter, you’ll find that practicing and honing your skills
is a crucial step. Capture The Flag (CTF) challenges provide an excellent platform to exercise your
abilities by simulating real-world vulnerabilities. Engaging in these challenges exposes you to diverse
technologies required to breach applications and systems effectively.

Learning and Practicing Resources:

To aid your Bug Bounty Hunting journey, here’s a curated list of reputable CTF platforms and learning
resources:

PentesterLab: PentesterLab is an excellent resource for learning about web application security and
ways how it can be subverted.
Hacker101: This platform offers a collection of web security challenges with a focus on practical
skills. It covers a wide range of topics, making it suitable for both beginners and seasoned
professionals. Hacker 101
Hack The Box: With a vibrant community, Hack The Box provides a diverse set of realistic
challenges that encompass various skill levels. It’s a great platform to enhance your penetration
testing skills. Hack the Box
OverTheWire Wargames: This platform offers a series of war games designed to teach and test
various security concepts. It covers networking, cryptography, and more. OverTheWire Wargames
Pwnable.tw: If you’re interested in binary exploitation and reverse engineering, Pwnable.tw offers
challenges that require you to analyze and exploit vulnerable binaries. Pwnable.tw
VulnHub: VulnHub provides a collection of vulnerable virtual machines that allow you to practice
exploiting real-world scenarios in controlled environments. VulnHub
“Hack Yourself First” by Troy Hunt: This resource offers practical lessons to help you understand
how common security vulnerabilities can be exploited and how to prevent them. Hack Yourself First
Hacksplaining: Hacksplaining offers interactive lessons that break down complex security topics,
providing clear explanations and practical demonstrations. Hacksplaining
Penetration Testing Practice Labs: Aman Hardikar’s collection of practice labs covers various
security concepts and challenges, enabling you to test your skills. Practice Labs
Bug Bounty Hunter: This platform provides a set of challenges that mimic real-world bug bounty
scenarios, helping you refine your skills for actual bug hunting. Bug Bounty Hunter
PortSwigger Web Security: PortSwigger offers comprehensive web security training, including
hands-on labs and exercises to enhance your web application security skills. PortSwigger Web
Security
TryHackMe: TryHackMe offers a variety of virtual rooms and challenges to help you learn and
practice penetration testing techniques. TryHackMe
CTFTime: CTFTime is a platform that provides information about upcoming CTF events, allowing
you to participate and challenge yourself against the best. CTFTime

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 Gin and Juice Shop: This is a deliberately vulnerable web application that helps you practice your
security testing skills in a realistic setting. Gin and Juice Shop
OWASP Juice Shop: OWASP Juice Shop is another vulnerable web application designed to
educate and train security professionals on web security. OWASP Juice Shop

Cloud CTFs:

Mobile CTFs

Certifications: Your Learning Path

While hands-on experience and self-study are vital components of becoming a successful Cybersecurity
Researcher & a Bug Bounty Hunter, certifications play a significant role in enhancing your skills and
credibility as well as they help you get a better job in the future. Here are a few certifications that you
might consider pursuing as a beginner:

Selecting a Target, Testing, and Writing Effective Reports

In this phase, we’ll delve into the critical process of selecting a target, getting started with testing, and
ultimately crafting impactful bug reports. Let’s dive right in!

Hey so Now the Final Phase I have in my mind is for People who have gone through all the good
important stuff and now are testing.. so I’ll like to give my advice about a few things and then will sum up
this blog.

Selecting and Approaching a Target

Choosing the right target is a pivotal decision that sets the stage for your Bug Bounty Hunting endeavors.
Honestly, your selection should be based on your mood, experience, and skill level. You can opt for a
target with an expansive scope, encompassing multiple websites, subdomains, and mobile apps.
Alternatively, you may prefer to focus on a single domain or app with intricate features for in-depth testing.

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List of Bug Bounty Platforms:

To identify suitable programs, Bug Bounty Platforms like those below offer directories of programs.

Individual giants like Google, Facebook, and Apple run their own bug bounty programs like many other
companies.

When approaching a target, careful reconnaissance is key. Conduct a thorough review of domain history,
links, IPs, and Wayback Info to gain insights. Maintain detailed notes of your activities. Initiate your testing
process by testing a specific functionality or workflow within the application. Begin by searching for low-
hanging fruits and surface-level bugs, documenting their existence. Tools like Burp Suite or OWASP Zap
are invaluable for observing workflows and requests.

Creating multiple accounts allows you to test user-to-user interactions. If not provided, request additional
accounts, as it’s a common practice. Engage with the app’s flow, testing and probing for unusual
behavior. While encountering anomalies doesn’t always indicate a report-worthy bug, persistent
exploration could unveil a security impact. Familiarize yourself with major security vulnerabilities and their
corresponding methods. Web application flow comprehension is crucial; delve into API documentation for
enhanced understanding. If you encounter challenges, make detailed notes for future reference.

These are great resources that will help you more about approaching & testing the targets

Reporting a Vulnerability

After investing considerable time in learning, practicing, and successfully identifying vulnerabilities, the
report-writing phase emerges as a crucial step. Crafting an effective report demands precision and clarity
to ensure your findings are properly communicated to the security team. A well-structured report
expedites the review process and enhances collaboration. Consider the following guidelines:

1. Thoroughness: Detail each step required to reproduce the bug. Eliminate ambiguity by providing
comprehensive information.
2. Simplicity: Avoid unnecessary complexity. While technical details are important, excessive intricacy
can hinder comprehension.
3. Impact Communication: Clearly convey the vulnerability’s potential impact. If the impact exceeds
initial assumptions, support your claims with evidence.
4. Courtesy: Remember, your report reaches a human audience. Be polite, patient, and respectful in
your communication.
5. Media Elements: Use screenshots, videos, or other media to bolster your report. Visual aids can
significantly enhance clarity.

Here are resources that offer detailed insights into writing effective bug reports:

Remember, your bug report reflects your professionalism and commitment. A well-crafted report
enhances the efficiency of the triage process and maximizes your chances of a successful submission.
Stay patient, be persistent, and continue refining your skills as you progress on your Bug Bounty Hunting
journey. You’re making a valuable contribution to cybersecurity, one report at a time.

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