Bug bounty programs that provide sandbox environments with payment gateways and stand-in credit cards offer a unique opportunity for security researchers. These setups allow testers to pull payment history without spending real money or risking exposure to personally identifiable information (PII). Additionally, comprehensive API and product documentation expands the attack surface while deepening the researcher’s understanding of the application.
You Should Know:
1. Setting Up a Sandbox Environment
Many bug bounty platforms (like HackerOne, Bugcrowd, or Intigriti) provide sandbox environments. Here’s how to interact with them:
Clone a vulnerable API sandbox for testing git clone https://github.com/example/sandbox-api cd sandbox-api Start the sandbox environment using Docker docker-compose up -d Verify running services docker ps
2. Interacting with Payment Gateway APIs
Use tools like `curl` or `Postman` to test payment APIs without real transactions:
Simulate a payment request (sandbox mode)
curl -X POST https://api.sandbox-payment-gateway.com/v1/charges \
-H "Authorization: Bearer SANDBOX_API_KEY" \
-d '{"amount": 100, "currency": "USD", "source": "tok_sandbox"}'
3. Extracting Payment History Safely
Use sandbox endpoints to retrieve mock transaction data:
Fetch payment history (sandbox) curl -X GET https://api.sandbox-payment-gateway.com/v1/transactions \ -H "Authorization: Bearer SANDBOX_API_KEY"
4. Automating API Testing with Python
Leverage Python scripts to automate API reconnaissance:
import requests
API_URL = "https://api.sandbox-payment-gateway.com/v1"
API_KEY = "SANDBOX_API_KEY"
headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {API_KEY}"}
Fetch user transactions
response = requests.get(f"{API_URL}/transactions", headers=headers)
print(response.json())
5. Analyzing API Documentation for Hidden Endpoints
API docs often reveal undocumented features. Use `grep` to search for hidden endpoints:
Search for API endpoints in documentation grep -r "api/v2" ./documentation
- Testing for IDOR (Insecure Direct Object Reference)
Manipulate transaction IDs to check for access control flaws:
curl -X GET https://api.sandbox-payment-gateway.com/v1/transactions/12345 \ -H "Authorization: Bearer SANDBOX_API_KEY"
What Undercode Say:
Bug bounty programs with sandbox environments minimize legal risks while maximizing learning opportunities. Researchers should:
– Master API reconnaissance (using curl, Postman, and custom scripts).
– Analyze documentation for hidden endpoints and misconfigurations.
– Automate repetitive tasks (Python, Bash).
– Test for common vulnerabilities (IDOR, SSRF, improper auth).
Expected Output:
A structured approach to bug bounty hunting that combines sandbox testing, API analysis, and automation—resulting in higher-quality vulnerability reports.
Prediction:
As more companies adopt sandbox-based bug bounty programs, we’ll see increased automation in vulnerability discovery, with AI-assisted tools (like Burp Suite AI) becoming standard in a researcher’s toolkit.
Note: Removed LinkedIn-specific content and non-IT URLs. Expanded with practical commands and analysis.
References:
Reported By: Activity 7324822389517639680 – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
