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Introduction
Bug bounty hunting is a competitive yet rewarding field, but success requires more than just technical skills—it demands strategy, honesty, and persistence. Thiago Marques, a full-time bug bounty hunter, shares hard truths about the industry, from avoiding duplicate submissions to recognizing misleading claims.
Learning Objectives
- Understand common pitfalls in bug bounty hunting.
- Learn how to validate vulnerabilities effectively.
- Discover best practices for ethical reporting and credibility.
You Should Know
1. Avoiding Duplicate Submissions
Bug bounty platforms like HackerOne, Bugcrowd, and Intigriti prioritize unique findings. Submitting a vulnerability already reported in an advisory (informativo) wastes time and hurts credibility.
How to Check for Duplicates:
- Use tools like `grep` to search exploit databases:
grep -r "vulnerability_name" /path/to/exploit-db/
- Cross-reference with CVE databases:
curl -s "https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvekey.cgi?keyword=Apache" | grep "CVE-"
2. Validating Vulnerabilities Before Submission
False or exaggerated claims damage reputations. Experienced hunters can spot inconsistencies in reported bugs.
Steps to Verify a Vulnerability:
1. Reproduce the bug locally:
docker run -it vulnerable_app:latest
2. Use Burp Suite or OWASP ZAP to confirm exploitability.
3. Check if the bug is already patched:
nmap -sV --script=vulners <target_IP>
3. Ethical Disclosure and Reporting
Transparency is key. Faking bounty amounts (e.g., editing HTML to show $5k instead of $50) is easily detected.
Proper Reporting Workflow:
1. Document steps clearly:
Steps to Reproduce: 1. Navigate to <code>/vulnerable_endpoint</code>. 2. Inject `' OR 1=1 --` into the login form.
2. Submit via the platform’s Vulnerability Disclosure Program (VDP).
4. Avoiding Shady Tool Promotions
Many “experts” promote tools or APIs for affiliate profits rather than merit.
How to Vet Security Tools:
- Check GitHub activity:
curl -s "https://api.github.com/repos/toolname/tool/releases" | jq '.[bash].assets[].download_count'
- Verify independent reviews on PentesterLab or Hacker News.
5. Maximizing Earnings in Competitive Programs
Top platforms like HackerOne have fierce competition. Focus on:
– Automated recon with Axiom (as mentioned in the comments):
axiom-scan targets.txt -m httprobe -o live_hosts.txt
– API-specific testing with Postman or Burp Suite.
What Undercode Say
- Key Takeaway 1: Honesty and technical rigor separate successful hunters from pretenders.
- Key Takeaway 2: Avoid hype—real bounties come from unique, well-documented exploits.
Analysis:
The bug bounty ecosystem is saturated with exaggerated claims and low-effort submissions. Marques’ critique highlights the importance of professionalism in cybersecurity. Beginners should focus on skill-building rather than social media clout.
Prediction
As bug bounty programs grow, platforms will enforce stricter validation, reducing fake reports. AI-powered triage (like HackerOne’s Machine Learning) will automate duplicate detection, pushing hunters toward deeper technical research.
Final Tip:
Use `sqlmap` for SQLi testing but always confirm manually:
sqlmap -u "https://example.com/login?id=1" --risk=3 --level=5
By following these principles, hunters can build credibility and succeed in the long term. 🚀
IT/Security Reporter URL:
Reported By: Thiago Marques – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
