How to Hack Bug Bounty Programs: A Comprehensive Guide

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Bug bounty programs are a goldmine for cybersecurity researchers and ethical hackers. Companies like Google, Apple, IBM, and even governments offer rewards for discovering vulnerabilities in their systems. If you’re looking to dive into bug bounty hunting, here’s what you need to know.

You Should Know:

1. Essential Tools for Bug Bounty Hunting

Before starting, equip yourself with the right tools:

  • Burp Suite (burpsuite) – For intercepting and modifying HTTP requests.
  • Nmap (nmap -sV <target>) – For network scanning and service enumeration.
  • OWASP ZAP (zap-cli quick-scan <url>) – Automated security testing tool.
  • Metasploit Framework (msfconsole) – Exploit development and penetration testing.
  • Subfinder (subfinder -d <domain>) – Subdomain enumeration.

2. Common Vulnerabilities to Look For

  • SQL Injection: Test with `’ OR 1=1 –` in input fields.
  • Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Try `` in forms.
  • Broken Authentication: Check for weak session management.
  • CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery): Test with fake POST requests.
  • SSRF (Server-Side Request Forgery): Use `http://localhost` in vulnerable parameters.

3. Steps to Submit a High-Severity Report

  1. Replicate the Bug: Document exact steps to reproduce.
  2. Proof of Concept (PoC): Provide exploit code (e.g., Python script).
  3. Impact Analysis: Explain potential damage (data theft, system compromise).
  4. Remediation Steps: Suggest fixes (input validation, WAF rules).

4. Practice Commands for Bug Hunting

  • Directory Bruteforcing:
    ffuf -w wordlist.txt -u https://target.com/FUZZ
  • Checking for Open Ports:
    nmap -p 1-1000 --open <target>
  • Testing for IDOR (Insecure Direct Object Reference):
    curl -X GET "https://target.com/user?id=123" -H "Cookie: admin=true"

Prediction

Bug bounty programs will continue growing, with AI-driven automation helping hunters find vulnerabilities faster. Governments and enterprises will increase rewards for critical bugs, making cybersecurity research a lucrative career.

What Undercode Say

Mastering bug bounty hunting requires persistence, deep technical knowledge, and creativity. Use Linux (grep, awk, sed) for log analysis, Windows (netstat -ano) for network checks, and always stay updated with new attack vectors.

Expected Output:

  • A well-documented bug report.
  • A functional exploit script.
  • Recognition and monetary rewards from bug bounty platforms.

Relevant URLs:

Now, go hunt those bugs! 🚀

References:

Reported By: Arjun Singh – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅

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