The Ultimate Bug Bounty Roadmap: From Beginner to Professional Hacker

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Introduction

Bug bounty programs offer ethical hackers the opportunity to identify vulnerabilities in systems and earn rewards for their discoveries. This guide outlines a structured roadmap for beginners to enter the bug bounty space, covering essential skills, tools, and methodologies. Whether you’re new to cybersecurity or looking to refine your skills, this article provides actionable steps to succeed in bug hunting.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the fundamentals of bug bounty programs and their significance.
  • Learn key web technologies and common security vulnerabilities.
  • Master reconnaissance techniques and tools like Burp Suite and OWASP ZAP.
  • Develop skills to write high-quality bug reports that get accepted.

1. Understanding Bug Bounty Programs

Bug bounty programs incentivize security researchers to find and report vulnerabilities in exchange for monetary rewards. Companies like Google, Microsoft, and Facebook run these programs to improve their security posture.

Key Platforms to Explore:

How to Get Started:

1. Sign up on a bug bounty platform.

2. Read program rules and scope carefully.

3. Start testing within allowed targets.

2. Learning Web Technologies & Security Fundamentals

A strong foundation in web technologies (HTML, JavaScript, HTTP protocols) is crucial.

Common Vulnerabilities to Study:

  • Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) – Injecting malicious scripts into web pages.
  • SQL Injection (SQLi) – Exploiting database queries.
  • Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) – Forcing users to execute unwanted actions.
  • Insecure Direct Object References (IDOR) – Accessing unauthorized data by manipulating input.

Practice Labs:

3. Mastering Web Application Testing Tools

Security tools automate and enhance vulnerability detection.

Burp Suite – Intercepting HTTP Requests

Command:

java -jar burpsuite_pro_vX.X.X.jar

Steps:

1. Configure your browser proxy to `127.0.0.1:8080`.

2. Launch Burp Suite and intercept requests.

  1. Analyze and modify requests to test for vulnerabilities.

OWASP ZAP – Automated Scanning

Command:

./zap.sh

Steps:

  1. Enter target URL and run an automated scan.

2. Review alerts for potential vulnerabilities.

3. Manually verify findings to reduce false positives.

4. Effective Reconnaissance Techniques

Reconnaissance (recon) is critical for discovering attack surfaces.

Subdomain Enumeration with Sublist3r

Command:

python3 sublist3r.py -d example.com

Steps:

1. Install Sublist3r:

git clone https://github.com/aboul3la/Sublist3r.git 
cd Sublist3r 
pip install -r requirements.txt

2. Run the tool to find subdomains.

3. Verify live domains using `httprobe`.

Port Scanning with Nmap

Command:

nmap -sV -T4 -p- target.com

Steps:

  1. Scan for open ports (-p- checks all ports).

2. Detect service versions (`-sV`).

3. Analyze results for misconfigurations.

5. Writing High-Quality Bug Reports

A well-written report increases acceptance chances.

Key Elements:

  • Clear and concise (e.g., “Stored XSS in User Profile”).
  • Steps to Reproduce: Detailed, numbered instructions.
  • Impact: Explain potential risks (data theft, account takeover).
  • Proof of Concept (PoC): Include screenshots or video.

Example Report Structure:

1. Vulnerability Type: XSS

  1. Affected URL: `https://example.com/profile`

3. Steps:

  • Log in and update profile.
  • Inject `` in the bio field.
  • Save and observe script execution.

What Undercode Say

  • Key Takeaway 1: Bug bounty hunting requires persistence—most hackers face initial rejections before success.
  • Key Takeaway 2: Continuous learning is essential; new vulnerabilities emerge constantly.

Analysis:

The bug bounty ecosystem is growing rapidly, with companies investing more in ethical hacking. Automation (AI-driven scanners) is changing the landscape, but manual testing remains crucial for advanced exploits. Aspiring hunters should focus on niche areas (API security, cloud misconfigurations) to stand out.

Prediction

As AI and automation evolve, bug bounty programs will integrate more machine learning for vulnerability detection. However, human creativity in exploit chaining will remain irreplaceable. Ethical hackers who master both manual and automated techniques will dominate the field.

Ready to start? Check out Zlatan H.’s courses:

  1. Advanced Web Hacking
  2. Bug Bounty Mastery
  3. Ethical Hacking Bootcamp

Follow Zlatan H. for more insights:

Happy hacking! 🚀

IT/Security Reporter URL:

Reported By: Zlatanh Ready – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅

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