Table of Contents
- Understanding Bug Bounty
- Prerequisites & Basic Skills
- Setting Up Your Lab Environment
- Learning Web Application Security
- Mastering Common Vulnerabilities (OWASP Top 10)
- Essential Tools for Bug Bounty Hunters
- Reconnaissance & Enumeration Techniques
- Exploitation & Reporting Vulnerabilities
- Advanced Bug Bounty Techniques
- Joining Bug Bounty Platforms
- Staying Updated & Continuous Learning
1. Understanding Bug Bounty
Bug bounty programs allow ethical hackers to earn money by finding and reporting security vulnerabilities. They help companies enhance their cybersecurity posture before malicious hackers find the same issues.
- Public Programs: Open to anyone (e.g., HackerOne, Bugcrowd)
- Private Programs: Invite-only, usually for experienced hunters
- VDPs: Vulnerability Disclosure Programs offer recognition but often no monetary reward
2. Prerequisites & Basic Skills
Before you start hunting bugs, build a strong foundation:
- ✅ Networking: Understand HTTP/S, DNS, TCP/IP
- ✅ Linux Basics: Use Kali Linux and Bash scripting
- ✅ Programming: Learn Python, JavaScript, PHP, and SQL
- ✅ Web Tech: Master HTML, CSS, APIs, cookies, and sessions
Free Courses:
- 🎓 CS50’s Introduction to Computer Science (Harvard)
- 🎓 The Odin Project (Full Stack Web Development)
3. Setting Up Your Lab Environment
Create a secure environment to practice ethically:
- 🛠️ Kali Linux
- 🛠️ Burp Suite / OWASP ZAP
- 🛠️ Nmap
- 🛠️ Metasploit Framework
Practice Platforms:
- 💻 Hack The Box
- 💻 TryHackMe
- 💻 PortSwigger Web Security Academy
4. Learning Web Application Security
Most real-world bugs are found in web apps. Focus on:
- 📌 HTTP Requests & Headers
- 📌 Session Management
- 📌 Authentication vs. Authorization
- 📌 Same-Origin Policy (SOP) & CORS
Recommended Resource: OWASP Web Security Testing Guide
5. Mastering Common Vulnerabilities (OWASP Top 10)
The OWASP Top 10 is essential knowledge for any bug bounty hunter:
- ✅ SQL Injection
- ✅ Broken Authentication
- ✅ Sensitive Data Exposure
- ✅ XXE (XML External Entities)
- ✅ Broken Access Control
- ✅ Security Misconfigurations
- ✅ Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
- ✅ Insecure Deserialization
- ✅ Using Vulnerable Components
- ✅ Insufficient Logging & Monitoring
Labs to Practice: PortSwigger Labs
6. Essential Tools for Bug Bounty Hunters
Use the right tools to boost productivity:
- 🔍 Sublist3r: Subdomain enumeration
- 🔍 Amass: Advanced DNS mapping
- 🔍 Waybackurls: Historical URL data
- 🧪 Burp Suite Pro: Manual testing powerhouse
- 🧪 Nuclei: Fast automated scanning
- ⚔️ SQLmap: Automated SQL injection
- ⚔️ XSStrike: XSS scanner
7. Reconnaissance & Enumeration Techniques
Recon is 50% of the work in bug bounty hunting. Steps include:
- 🔎 Subdomain Enumeration (Sublist3r, Amass)
- 🔎 URL Discovery (gau, Waybackurls)
- 🔎 Parameter Extraction (Arjun, ParamSpider)
- 🔎 Fuzzing (FFuf, Dirsearch)
Automate with: Recon-ng, Chaos by ProjectDiscovery
8. Exploitation & Reporting Vulnerabilities
How to write a professional bug report:
- 📝 Clear Title (e.g., "Stored XSS on example.com")
- 📝 Step-by-Step Reproduction
- 📝 Include Screenshots or Video Proof
- 📝 Explain the Impact
- 📝 Suggest Fixes
Examples: Check out HackerOne Hacktivity
9. Advanced Bug Bounty Techniques
Go beyond the basics:
- 🔥 SSRF (Server-Side Request Forgery)
- 🔥 Race Conditions
- 🔥 OAuth & JWT Exploitation
- 🔥 GraphQL Injections
Advanced Certification: Offensive Security Web Expert (OSWE)
10. Joining Bug Bounty Platforms
Top Platforms:
Tips: Start with VDPs, look for low-hanging fruits (XSS, CSRF, IDOR)
11. Staying Updated & Continuous Learning
- 🐦 Follow @Hacker0x01, @Bugcrowd, @PortSwigger
- 📚 Subreddit: /r/netsec, /r/bugbounty
- 📺 YouTube: STÖK, InsiderPhD
Recommended Books:
- 📖 Web Application Hacker’s Handbook - Dafydd Stuttard
- 📖 Real-World Bug Hunting - Peter Yaworski
Conclusion
Bug bounty hunting can be your gateway into a high-paying, exciting career in cybersecurity. By following this roadmap, practicing consistently, and engaging with the community, you'll steadily progress from a beginner to a professional ethical hacker. Good luck and happy hunting!