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Atul Nagaraj Nambiar, a Google Certified Cybersecurity Professional and Ethical Hacker, recently discovered a vulnerability on LinkedIn within just a minute of casual browsing. He reported the bug via HackerOne, and LinkedIn rewarded him with a bounty for his contribution to securing their platform.
You Should Know:
1. Bug Bounty Hunting Basics
Bug bounty programs reward ethical hackers for finding and reporting security flaws. Major platforms like LinkedIn, Google, and Microsoft run such programs via HackerOne, Bugcrowd, or their own portals.
2. Tools for Vulnerability Discovery
- Burp Suite – For intercepting and analyzing web traffic.
- OWASP ZAP – Open-source security testing tool.
- Nmap – Network scanning to identify open ports.
nmap -sV target.com
- SQLmap – Automated SQL injection testing.
sqlmap -u "https://target.com/login" --dbs
3. Common Web Vulnerabilities to Check
- Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
<script>alert('XSS')</script> - Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
- Broken Authentication – Test weak login mechanisms.
- Insecure Direct Object References (IDOR) – Manipulate URLs to access unauthorized data.
4. Reporting a Bug Properly
- Steps:
1. Document the flaw (screenshots, steps to reproduce).
- Submit via the platform’s official channel (e.g., HackerOne).
3. Follow responsible disclosure – Don’t exploit further.
5. LinkedIn Security Best Practices
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
- Regularly audit third-party app permissions.
- Use strong, unique passwords with a password manager.
What Undercode Say:
Bug bounty hunting is a lucrative and ethical way to improve cybersecurity skills. Platforms like LinkedIn, Google, and Microsoft encourage ethical hackers to find flaws before malicious actors do. By mastering tools like Burp Suite, Nmap, and SQLmap, security researchers can contribute to a safer internet while earning rewards.
Expected Output:
- A well-documented bug report.
- A bounty reward (if the vulnerability is valid).
- Improved platform security.
Relevant URLs:
References:
Reported By: Atul Nagaraj – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
