Getting Started with Bug Bounty Hunting: Tips for Beginners

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If you’re new to bug bounty hunting, starting with less saturated and less popular responsible disclosure programs is a great way to build your skills. Here are some Google dorks to help you find these programs:

– `intext:”vulnerability reporting policy”`
– `intext:”responsible disclosure”`
– `site:edu intext:”report vulnerability”`
– `intext:”security hall of fame”`

Filtering search results by the published date can help you find newer programs. Smaller programs are often less competitive, making them ideal for beginners. If you don’t receive a response from smaller programs, you can submit your findings through Open Bug Bounty.

You Should Know:

Here are some practical commands and tools to get started with bug bounty hunting:

1. Nmap Scanning

Use Nmap to scan for open ports and services:

nmap -sV -sC target.com

2. Dirb/Dirbuster for Directory Enumeration

Find hidden directories and files:

dirb http://target.com

3. Nikto for Web Server Scanning

Scan for vulnerabilities in web servers:

nikto -h http://target.com

4. SQLMap for SQL Injection Testing

Automate SQL injection detection:

sqlmap -u http://target.com/page?id=1 --dbs

5. Subdomain Enumeration with Sublist3r

Discover subdomains:

sublist3r -d target.com

6. Wayback Machine for Historical Data

Use Wayback Machine to find old versions of the site:

curl "http://web.archive.org/cdx/search/cdx?url=target.com/*&output=json"

7. Nuclei for Automated Scanning

Run Nuclei templates to detect vulnerabilities:

nuclei -u http://target.com -t cves/

8. Wfuzz for Fuzzing

Fuzz parameters to find hidden endpoints:

wfuzz -c -z file,wordlist.txt --hc 404 http://target.com/FUZZ

9. Metasploit for Exploitation

Use Metasploit for exploitation and post-exploitation:

msfconsole
use exploit/windows/smb/ms17_010_eternalblue
set RHOSTS target.com
exploit

10. OpenSSL for SSL/TLS Testing

Check for SSL/TLS vulnerabilities:

openssl s_client -connect target.com:443 -tls1_2

What Undercode Say:

Bug bounty hunting is a rewarding but challenging field. Starting with smaller programs allows you to build confidence and skills without the intense competition of larger platforms. Use tools like Nmap, Dirb, and SQLMap to automate and streamline your reconnaissance and vulnerability detection. Always follow responsible disclosure practices and document your findings thoroughly. Remember, persistence and continuous learning are key to success in cybersecurity.

For further reading, check out these resources:

References:

Reported By: Danielmakelley If – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅

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