Key Takeaways
- Read the program scope carefully—stay in scope.
- Good recon finds targets others miss.
- Quality reports get resolved faster and build reputation.
- Focus on one vulnerability class to build expertise.
- Persistence matters—success takes time.
- Learn from disclosed reports and writeups.
Table of Contents
1. What is Bug Bounty?
Bug bounty programs reward security researchers for finding and responsibly reporting vulnerabilities. Companies benefit from crowdsourced security testing, while researchers earn money and recognition for their skills. It's a win-win that has become a standard part of modern security programs.
The field has grown tremendously—top researchers earn millions annually. But success requires skills, persistence, and a methodical approach. Most beginners struggle initially; the competition is fierce and easy bugs are rare.
Key Success Factors
Recon: Find attack surface others miss
Specialization: Deep expertise in specific vulnerability types
Persistence: Keep hunting through dry spells
Report Quality: Clear, reproducible, impactful reports
2. Bug Bounty Platforms
| Platform | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| HackerOne | Public/Private | Largest platform, enterprise programs |
| Bugcrowd | Public/Private | Good beginner programs |
| Intigriti | Public/Private | European focus, growing |
| Synack | Private | Vetted researchers, higher payouts |
| Direct Programs | Varies | Google, Microsoft, etc. |
2.1 Choosing Programs
- Beginner-friendly: Look for programs marked as such or with wide scope
- Response time: Fast response programs are less frustrating
- Payout history: Check if they actually pay and how quickly
- Scope: Larger scopes = more opportunity
3. Reconnaissance
Good recon is the foundation of successful bug hunting. While others test the main website, you find forgotten subdomains, old apps, and overlooked functionality.
3.1 Subdomain Enumeration
# Subdomain discovery tools
subfinder -d target.com -o subdomains.txt
amass enum -d target.com
assetfinder target.com
# Check for live hosts
cat subdomains.txt | httpx -silent -o live.txt
# Screenshot all live hosts
gowitness file -f live.txt3.2 Content Discovery
# Directory brute force
ffuf -u https://target.com/FUZZ -w /path/to/wordlist.txt -mc 200,301,302,403
# Parameter discovery
arjun -u https://target.com/endpoint
# JavaScript analysis for endpoints
# Use tools like LinkFinder, JSParser3.3 Google Dorking
# Find interesting files
site:target.com filetype:pdf
site:target.com inurl:admin
site:target.com ext:php inurl:?
site:target.com intitle:"index of"
# Find exposed data
site:target.com "password" | "api_key"4. Common Vulnerabilities
| Vulnerability | Difficulty | Typical Bounty |
|---|---|---|
| SQL Injection | Medium | $1,000-$10,000+ |
| XSS (Stored) | Easy-Medium | $500-$3,000 |
| IDOR | Easy | $500-$5,000 |
| SSRF | Medium | $1,000-$5,000 |
| Authentication Bypass | Hard | $5,000-$50,000+ |
| RCE | Hard | $10,000-$100,000+ |
4.1 IDOR (Insecure Direct Object Reference)
# Test by changing IDs
GET /api/user/1234/profile → GET /api/user/1235/profile
# Check:
- User IDs in URLs
- Document/file IDs
- Order/transaction IDs
- Message/comment IDs4.2 SSRF (Server-Side Request Forgery)
# Common SSRF parameters
?url=
?redirect=
?image_url=
?file=
# Test payloads
http://127.0.0.1:80
http://169.254.169.254 (AWS metadata)
http://[::1]:80Stay In Scope
Always verify targets are in scope before testing. Out-of-scope testing can get you banned and is unethical. If you accidentally find a bug out of scope, stop testing and report only what you found accidentally.
5. Essential Tools
- Burp Suite: Essential proxy for web testing
- ffuf: Fast web fuzzer
- Nuclei: Template-based vulnerability scanner
- SQLMap: SQL injection automation
- Amass/Subfinder: Subdomain enumeration
- httpx: Fast HTTP probing
5.1 Automated Scanning
# Nuclei scanning
nuclei -l targets.txt -t nuclei-templates/ -o results.txt
# Focus on specific templates
nuclei -l targets.txt -t cves/ -severity critical,high6. Writing Great Reports
6.1 Report Structure
# Essential report components:
1. Title: Clear, descriptive summary
2. Severity: Your assessment with justification
3. Description: What the vulnerability is
4. Steps to Reproduce: Exact steps anyone can follow
5. Impact: What could an attacker do?
6. Proof of Concept: Screenshots, videos, code
7. Remediation: How to fix it6.2 Tips for Better Reports
- Be clear and concise—busy triagers appreciate it
- Include all details needed to reproduce
- Use screenshots and video recordings
- Demonstrate real impact, not just theoretical
- Suggest remediation steps
Quality Over Quantity
One well-written, high-impact report is worth more than ten low-quality submissions. Great reports get resolved faster, build your reputation, and often receive bonuses. Triagers remember researchers who make their job easy.
7. Building Your Career
7.1 Getting Started
- Learn web security fundamentals (OWASP Top 10)
- Practice on CTFs and vulnerable apps (DVWA, PortSwigger Academy)
- Start with beginner-friendly programs
- Read disclosed reports to learn what works
- Build your methodology through experience
7.2 Growing Your Reputation
- Consistent quality builds platform reputation
- Write blog posts about your findings
- Speak at conferences
- Help others in the community
- Apply for private programs as reputation grows
8. Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Bug bounty hunting is a legitimate and rewarding career path, but success requires skill, persistence, and a methodical approach. Master reconnaissance, specialize in specific vulnerability types, write excellent reports, and stay ethical. The best hunters combine technical skills with creativity and persistence.
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