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In the world of bug bounty hunting, every piece of data, no matter how insignificant it may seem, can be the key to uncovering critical vulnerabilities. This article delves into a real-world scenario where a bug bounty hunter chained Insecure Direct Object References (IDORs) to maximize their bounty payout. The lesson? Never underestimate requests that leak seemingly useless data—it might be the linchpin for exploiting vulnerabilities later.
The Scenario
The hunter submitted five IDOR reports to a target, each accompanied by a request that leaked an “Id” necessary for exploitation. The company closed all reports as duplicates, citing that fixing the request leaking the Id would render all issues non-exploitable. While this is partially true, the hunter knew that if the Id were leaked from another source, the vulnerabilities would still be exploitable. Companies often use such tactics to minimize payouts, but the hunter was prepared.
The Strategy
The hunter had been testing the application for weeks, meticulously documenting every endpoint and interaction. Each time they encountered a request that leaked the Id, they saved it, even though it seemed useless at the time. When the company closed the reports as duplicates, the hunter submitted new, unique requests that leaked the Id in different ways, forcing the company to re-open and triage the reports.
Lessons Learned
- Document Everything: Always document every request, even if it seems irrelevant. You never know when it might come in handy.
- Think Long-Term: What seems like a low-impact issue today could be critical tomorrow.
- Be Persistent: Don’t give up if your reports are closed as duplicates. Find new angles to demonstrate the vulnerability.
You Should Know: Practical Steps and Commands
To replicate this strategy, you need to be proficient in using tools like Burp Suite and understanding web application endpoints. Here are some practical steps and commands to help you get started:
- Burp Suite Repeater: Use Burp Suite’s Repeater tool to manually manipulate and resend requests. This is crucial for testing how different requests affect the application.
</li> </ol> <h1>Example: Sending a GET request using cURL</h1> curl -X GET "https://example.com/api/user?id=123" -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_TOKEN"
- Endpoint Enumeration: Use tools like `gobuster` or `dirsearch` to enumerate endpoints.
</li> </ol> <h1>Example: Using gobuster to find directories</h1> gobuster dir -u https://example.com -w /path/to/wordlist.txt
- JavaScript Analysis: Inspect JavaScript files for hidden endpoints or sensitive information.
</li> </ol> <h1>Example: Using grep to search for endpoints in JS files</h1> grep -r "api/v1" /path/to/javascript/files
- Automated Scanning: Use tools like `Nikto` or `OWASP ZAP` for automated vulnerability scanning.
</li> </ol> <h1>Example: Running Nikto scan</h1> nikto -h https://example.com
- Logging and Monitoring: Keep logs of all your interactions with the target application.
</li> </ol> <h1>Example: Logging HTTP requests using mitmproxy</h1> mitmproxy -w logfile.txt
What Undercode Say
In the realm of cybersecurity, persistence and meticulous documentation are your greatest allies. The ability to chain vulnerabilities, as demonstrated in this scenario, can turn what seems like a low-impact issue into a critical finding. Always be prepared to adapt your strategy and think several steps ahead of the defenders.
Expected Output:
By following these steps and commands, you can enhance your bug bounty hunting skills and increase your chances of finding and exploiting critical vulnerabilities. Remember, every piece of data matters, and what seems insignificant today could be the key to a significant bounty tomorrow.
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References:
Reported By: Fares Walid – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅Join Our Cyber World:
- Logging and Monitoring: Keep logs of all your interactions with the target application.
- Automated Scanning: Use tools like `Nikto` or `OWASP ZAP` for automated vulnerability scanning.
- JavaScript Analysis: Inspect JavaScript files for hidden endpoints or sensitive information.
- Endpoint Enumeration: Use tools like `gobuster` or `dirsearch` to enumerate endpoints.
