How to Hack Android Bug Bounty: A Beginner’s Guide

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You Should Know:

Android bug bounty hunting is a lucrative field for cybersecurity enthusiasts. Here’s a detailed guide to help you get started, including practical commands, tools, and steps to identify vulnerabilities in Android apps.

1. Setting Up Your Environment

Before diving into bug hunting, set up a testing environment:
– Android Emulator (Genymotion or Android Studio)

sudo apt install virtualbox genymotion 

– ADB (Android Debug Bridge) for device communication:

sudo apt install adb 
adb devices  List connected devices 

2. Reverse Engineering APKs

Use APKTool to decompile APK files:

sudo apt install apktool 
apktool d target.apk -o output_dir 

For JADX (Java decompiler):

sudo apt install jadx 
jadx-gui target.apk 

3. Analyzing App Components

Check AndroidManifest.xml for exposed components:

grep -i "exported=true" AndroidManifest.xml 

4. Dynamic Analysis with Frida

Inject JavaScript into running apps for runtime manipulation:

pip install frida-tools 
frida-ps -U  List running apps 
frida -U -l script.js -f com.target.app 

5. Network Traffic Inspection

Use Burp Suite or Mitmproxy for intercepting HTTP/HTTPS traffic:

mitmproxy -p 8080 

Configure Android proxy settings to route traffic.

6. Common Vulnerabilities to Hunt For

  • Insecure Storage (Check SharedPreferences, SQLite databases)
    adb shell "run-as com.target.app cat /data/data/com.target.app/shared_prefs/.xml" 
    
  • Improper Certificate Validation (Bypass SSL pinning with Frida scripts)
  • Exported Activities leading to unauthorized access.

7. Automating Scans with MobSF

Mobile Security Framework (MobSF) for static/dynamic analysis:

docker pull opensecurity/mobile-security-framework-mobsf 
docker run -it -p 8000:8000 opensecurity/mobile-security-framework-mobsf 

Prediction

As Android apps grow in complexity, zero-day vulnerabilities in third-party libraries and misconfigured cloud backends will dominate bug bounty programs. Automation tools like Frida and MobSF will become essential for hunters.

What Undercode Say

Mastering Android bug bounty requires persistence. Start with open-source apps, document findings, and contribute to the community. Always stay updated with OWASP Mobile Top 10.

Expected Output:

  • A structured report with:
  • Vulnerability details (CWE-ID, CVSS score).
  • Proof-of-concept (PoC) code/commands.
  • Mitigation steps (e.g., disabling `exported` flags).

URLs (if needed):

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References:

Reported By: Muhamad Rizki – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅

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